The EU has decided to reinforce its troops in Bosnia & Herzegovina, sending reserve forces amid a further escalation of tensions in the country and the increasing risk of violent clashes between Republika Srpska and the state-level authorities.

The decision was made after attempts by the institutions headed by members of the ruling SNSD party led by Republika Srpska's separatist president, Milorad Dodik, to force the representatives of the state investigation agency to leave their premises in the entity. There are fears they could go further, sparking a military conflict in the country.

“EUFOR will temporarily increase the size of its force. This is a proactive measure aimed at assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the interest of all citizens. EUFOR’s capabilities play a crucial role in the continued support to security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” EUFOR said in a statement.

“In the coming days, the public may notice an increased EUFOR presence. We assure the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina that this presence, as all of EUFOR’s activities, is directly related to its task of supporting the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to maintain safety and security,” it added.

The increase in EUFOR’s troops was requested by Denis Becirovic, the Bosniak member of Bosnia’s state-level tripartite presidency.

On March 7, there were reports that Republika Srpska’s police had attempted to force the representatives of the state investigation body, SIPA, to leave their offices. SIPA said that these attempts were unsuccessful and all employees have stayed in place.

On March 7, upon the initiative of Becirovic and the Croat member of the presidency, Zeljko Komsic, the state constitutional court temporarily banned the implementation of four laws adopted by Republika Srpska’s parliament at the end of February, despite warnings that they violate the state-level constitution.

“In all these cases, the Constitutional Court issued decisions granting the applicants' applications for interim measures,” the court said in a statement.

It noted that it has temporarily prohibited to all legislative, executive and judicial institutions in Republika Srpska, as well as all official or responsible persons in those institutions, from taking any action on the basis of the acts.

“This decision shall enter into force immediately and shall have legal effect from the date of entry into force of the cited laws,” the court said.

International criticism

The US reaction to Dodik's actions was not as supportive as he had claimed it would be, with Washington criticising his actions and those of his ruling party did.

“The actions of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik are undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions and threatening its security and stability. Our nation encourages political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to engage in constructive and responsible dialogue. We call on our partners in the region to join us in pushing back against this dangerous and destabilizing behavior,” US State Secretary Macro Rubio wrote on X.

The US embassy issued another statement, condemning Republika Srpska’s actions.

“We are deeply concerned by last night's signing of the anti-constitutional and anti-Dayton laws the RS National Assembly recently adopted. Let us be clear — this is a deliberate provocation  to BiH's constitutional order and poses a direct threat to BiH's stability and security and to U.S. strategic objectives,” the embassy wrote in a statement.

It urged Republika Srpska’s politicians to refrain from engaging in further destabilisation and incendiary rhetoric.

The EU delegation to Bosnia also condemned Republika Srpska’s actions and said in a statement they undermine the constitutional and legal order of Bosnia.

“Republika Srpska, as other entities, must comply with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s laws, and respect the competences and decisions of the country’s institutions, including the Constitutional Court, High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, Court, Prosecutors’ Office as well as the State Investigation and Protection Agency. All domestic legal remedies should be used to uphold the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” it wrote in a statement.

Putin backs Dodik

While the West has unanimously condemned Dodik’s moves, he was openly supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, his Serbian peer Aleksandar Vucic and the Serb nationalist speaker of the Montenegrin parliament, Andrija Mandic.

“From the Russian side, solidarity was expressed with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik,” Putin was quoted as saying in a statement.

He had a phone conversation with Vucic on the situation in the region and said he was against international interference in the internal affairs of Serbians.

Vucic has also backed Dodik since he was convicted on February 26 and supported all his actions after that.

Support came also from Mandic, who visited Dodik along with Milan Knezevic, another pro-Russian and pro-Serbian politician in Podgorica.

However, Mandic’s move was not well accepted in Montenegro, where the government of Prime Minister Milojko Spajic is strongly pro-Western and reforms-oriented.

The Montenegrin Foreign Affairs Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic said as quoted by public broadcaster RTCG that Mandic’s visit was not the official position of the country and that his statements in support of Dodik cannot threaten the good relations between Podgorica and Sarajevo.