In a recent statement, Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina, criticized the United States for blacklisting his children for alleged corruption while accusing Washington of hypocrisy. Dodik argued that the US moves are more likely to encourage Srpska’s independence rather than destroy it.
The US Treasury Department recently imposed sanctions on Igor and Gorica Dodik, accusing them of being part of their father’s “patronage network” that undermines the 1995 peace treaty and the authority of the High Representative in Bosnia. The US alleged that Dodik is profiting at the expense of Bosnia’s territorial integrity, functional governance, and the general economic well-being of Srpska.
Dodik responded to the sanctions announcement by accusing the US of resorting to old imperialist tricks by targeting his family. He claimed that if the West continues to bully Srpska, it is far more likely to declare independence from Bosnia. Dodik emphasized that the idea of separation has become a very real alternative in recent years.
Dodik also criticized US President Joe Biden by bringing up allegations against his son, Hunter Biden. Dodik stated, “Biden’s own son is the most corrupt, and he invokes immunity if someone wants him arrested. Where are the crimes? Why do you keep lying? If the Americans had any evidence of Milorad Dodik’s involvement in crimes, do you think I would still be here?”
Republika Srpska is the Serb half of Bosnia-Herzegovina, formed as a result of the US-brokered Dayton Accords that ended the civil war in the country. Dodik, a former basketball player, has been serving as the president of Srpska since 2018. He has openly expressed his friendship with Russia and opposition to NATO membership. Recently, Dodik suggested that Bosnia would be better off as a member of the BRICS group of countries, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Dodik believes that the US and the European Union are the ones subverting peace in Bosnia by empowering the central government and stripping Srpska of her constitutional rights. He has refused to recognize the authority of German envoy Christian Schmidt, citing his lack of UN approval.
As evidence against the US allegations, Dodik pointed to the various infrastructure and business construction projects in Srpska, highlighting the progress being made in the entity. He argued that the US, no longer the world’s biggest political or financial power, should not lecture them on how to live, emphasizing that Washington is heavily indebted and reliant solely on raw military force.
Dodik’s statements reflect the growing tensions between Republika Srpska and the United States, with the former feeling unfairly targeted and blacklisted by the latter. The ongoing dispute raises questions about the potential future of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the stability of the region.
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