Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fifteen years after the conflict ended, the security situation is much improved. But Bosnia and Herzegovina is still struggling to overcome deeply institutionalised ethnic divisions. These are also reflected in, and reinforced by, the nationalist rhetoric and “language of fear” often employed by local politicians.

Negotiations to reform the constitution established by Dayton in order to strengthen state institutions and transform the country into a non-ethnic parliamentary democracy have failed to make much progress. However, lack of reform of the complex political system hinders a functional state, and stands in the way of Bosnia’s progress towards EU accession, which remains

The past couple of years have witnessed an increasingly deadlocked political situation, with observers expressing concern over the hostile exchanges between local leaders and over the seemingly constant downward trend. Lady Ashton, the EU's new foreign policy chief, has called Bosnia and Herzegovina the most unstable corner of Europe. The situation has so far frustrated any attempt by the international community to close down the OHR and transition to a less powerful EU Special Representative (EUSR).

Tensions are expected to rise in the run-up to October's general election, which will be crucial in helping to determine whether the country pursues a course of disintegration, integration or stasis.

Bosnia and Herzegovina suffered a devastating war accompanying the break-up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Close to 100,000 people were killed and around two million - about half the population - were displaced, as the country's three main ethnic groups (Bosnian Serbs, Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats) fought to establish mono-ethnic territories, sometimes resorting to massacre and mass rape as tools of ethnic cleansing.

An end was put to the violence  by the Dayton peace accords of 1995, which established a Bosnia with authority decentralised at several levels and many complex layers of administration. Bosnia today consists of two separate entities - Republika Srpska, inhabited mainly by Bosnian Serbs, and the predominantly Bosniak and Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Each entity presides over roughly half of the territory and has its own president, government, parliament, police and other bodies. In addition, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into ten cantons, each with a significant level of autonomy in a number of areas (education, police, etc). At the state level, a central government with a rotating presidency presides over the two entities. General elections are due in October this year.  

The international community has since the end of the war had a significant direct influence on Bosnian politics and development, primarily through its chief international envoy, the Office of the High Representative, which was put in place to monitor and ensure the implementation of the Dayton peace accords.

About 2000 troops from the EUFOR stabilisation force remain in the country.