News & events

The missing peace

15 September 2010

On 14 September 2010, Saferworld and partner Nansen Dialogue Centre Sarajevo launched their new report outlining community perceptions of security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The report analyses drivers of conflict which remain un-addressed in BiH, and which continue to influence people’s lives and undermine political progress.

The report, entitled ‘The Missing Peace: The need for a long term strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina’ aims to provide a community-based perspective on the current situation and contribute to a discussion on the international community’s engagement in BiH.

Henry Smith, Director of Saferworld, said: “The past three or four years have seen a steady deterioration of the political situation in Bosnia. While this has caused concern among observers and policymakers, a truly strategic and conflict-sensitive approach is still sorely needed from the international community. The EU and individual countries need to be patient and consistent to help Bosnia on its path towards lasting peace and stability.”

While the forthcoming general elections (to be held on 3 October) are not expected to produce significant change to the political landscape, it is important that the international community scrutinises and revises its approach in BiH. In particular, how international actors can look beyond the immediate deadlock and ensure that their engagement contributes to minimising longer-term threats to BiH’s delicate stability.

Based on an analysis of the identified drivers of conflict and mitigating factors, the report outlines some possible short and long-term scenarios for BiH, in order to illustrate the potential impact of local conflict dynamics. The report outlines a number of recommendations, mainly addressed to decision makers and desk officers in international and foreign government institutions engaged in BiH, the European Union (EU) in particular.

In the discussion following the presentation of findings, panellists from the EC, the EU in BiH and non governmental organisations (NGOs) welcomed the report. EU representatives emphasised the EU’s commitment to further advancement of BiH towards EU accession, while NGO actors pointed out that existing post-conflict dynamics must not be forgotten by the international community in the development of future strategies. Civil society and local communities were highlighted as important actors who needed to be ‘picked up’ and encouraged on their way to stronger civic engagement and democratisation.

The report is based on desk and field research carried out by Saferworld and Nansen Dialogue Centre Sarajevo in early 2010. It will be launched in Sarajevo in October and will be also available in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.

 

Download ‘The Missing Peace. The need for a long term strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina”