Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

“Facing the Fractures”: Exploring Challenges in Bosnia's Peacebuilding Journey

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 443 - 450, 08.04.2025

Elmar Ismayilzada

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15627552

Abstract

The article deals with the path of development and the challenges in modern terms of peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995, peacebuilding activities was started in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the international community. Over the past period, peacebuilding has achieved limited success in the conflict. Ukrainian war in 2022 also affected the conflict of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The accusation of the West by Russia and China in the problem of Bosnia and Herzegovina raised doubts about the effectiveness of peacebuilding. From this point of view, this topic is relevant in current terms. Methodology: Analysis and synthesis methods were used in the preparation of the study. The study identified successes, failures and shortcomings of peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The position of local actors, criticism and current challenges in the peacebuilding process were analyzed. Based on the current international situation, the study concludes that it is necessary to adapt peacebuilding to the challenges of the time, the importance of its long-term application in the Bosnia and Herzegovina conflict.

Keywords

Bosnia and Herzegovina Peacebuilding Conflict International Actor

References

  • Atanasov, P., Sasajkovski, S., Lazarevski, P., Maljichi, D., & Zarevski, D. (2023). Can Volatile Societies Support Stable States?: Case Studies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
  • Bagheri, A., & Bagheri, S. (2020). The balance of power in the Balkans. Harvard International Review, 30.
  • Bjarnason, M. (2001). The War and War-Games in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. The Main Events, Disagreements and Arguments, Resulting in, a" De Facto" Divided Country. Reykjavik: Magnus Bjarnason.
  • Bugajski, J. (2013). Return of the Balkans: Challenges to European Integration and US Disengagement. Strategic Studies Institute and US Army War College Press.
  • Country rankings (2024). www.theglobaleconomy.com. Political stability - Country rankings. https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/wb_political_stability/.
  • Dedić, H. (2020). Dayton Peace Agreement and Political Reforms in the Context of the Transition of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Society. International scientific journal European Perspectives, 11(2 (20)), 41-58.
  • Demény, G. (2011). Factors of socio-economic uncertainty in the Bosnian War. Microcon Dempsey, G. T. (2001). Bosnia: The Makıng Of A Potemkın State. National Security and The Future, 117-161.
  • Farcas, R. (2020). Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Failure of Post-Conflict Reconciliation. Astra Salvensis-revista de istorie si cultura, 8(2020), 119-132
  • Fazlić, F. (2020). Twenty five years of the Dayton Agreement. SEER: Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe, 23(2), 165-186. Fischer, M. (2006). Bosnia’s Challenge: Economic Reform, Political Transformation and War-to-Peace-Transition. Peacebuilding and Civil Society in Bosnia-Herzegovina–Ten Years after Dayton. Münster & London: Lit-Verlag, 441-470.
  • Hadžić, F. (2021). Social And political (the Others) exclusions within the post-Yugoslav ethnonational institutionalization in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Birey ve Toplum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 11(1), 171-196.
  • Harland, D. (2017). Never again: International intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina. UK Government Stabilisation Unit.
  • Hronešová, B. J. (2022). Ethnopopulist denial and crime relativisation in Bosnian Republika Srpska. East European Politics, 38(1), 21-42.
  • Jaeho, K., & Sup, K. C. (2023). A Self-determined Failure of the Ethnically Fractionalised?: A Comparative Review of Self-Deterministic Peacebuilding Governance in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Myanmar. Journal of International and Area Studies, 30(2), 25-46.
  • Institute for Economics & Peace. Global Peace Index 2023: Measuring Peace in a Complex World. Institute for Economics & Peace, 2023.
  • International Crisis Group. (2022). Managing the Risks of Instability in the Western Balkans: Europe Report. International Crisis Group.
  • Kapetanović, A. (Ed.). (2015). The Legacy of Peace: Bosnia and Herzegovina 20 years after the Dayton Peace Accords. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
  • Kazansky, R., Musladin, M., & Ondrejmiskova, I. (2021). Bosnia and Herzegovina: from war to negative peace. Security Dimensions: International & National Studies, 35, 50-64.
  • Kirichenko, D., & Cipan, V. (2024). Russian Influence and Disinformation Operations in the Balkans. Georgetown Security Studies Review 11, 65-85.
  • Kivimäki, T., Kramer, M., & Pasch, P. (2007). The Dynamics of Conflict in the. European Journal of International Relations, 16(2), 297-309.
  • Kozljak, A. (2021). International community must fulfil uncompleted work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Skopje, North Macedonia, 28, 28-36.
  • Larsen, H. B. L. (2020). The Western Balkans between the EU, NATO, Russia and China. CSS Analyses in Security Policy, 263.
  • Mearsheimer, J. J., & Van Evera, S. (1995). When peace means war. New republic, 18, 16-21.
  • Memović, E. H., & Trlin, D. (2022). Political Parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Principle of the Constituency of Peoples. Studia Politica: Romanian Political Science Review, 22(1). 51-66.
  • Milan, C. (2020). Reshaping citizenship through collective action: Performative and prefigurative practices in the 2013–2014 cycle of contention in Bosnia & Hercegovina. In Activist Citizenship in Southeast Europe (pp. 10-25). Routledge.
  • Özoflu, M. A., & Besgul, B. (2023). A Critical Analysis of the Neoliberal State-Building in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Gap Between Aims and Achievements. Corvinus Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 14(1), 131-150.
  • Pejanović, M. (2020). Dayton Peace Accords–A Turning Point in the Historical Sustainability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. International scientific journal European Perspectives, 11(2 (20)), 17-39.
  • Pepi, P. (2021). The Road to Independence: Historical Background, Legality, and Legitimacy of the Proposed Secession of the Bosnian Serbs from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Penn St. JL & Int'l Aff., 10, 249.
  • Ruge, M. (2020).Hostage State: How to Free Bosnia from Dayton’s Paralysing Grip. ECFR,
  • Stojarová, V. (2019). Unifying the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina–mission completed?. Vojenské rozhledy, 28(3), 71-82.
  • The Fund for Peace. (2023). Fragile States Index Annual Report 2023. The Fund for Peace.

“Facing the Fractures”: Exploring Challenges in Bosnia's Peacebuilding Journey

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 443 - 450, 08.04.2025

Elmar Ismayilzada

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15627552

Abstract

The article deals with the path of development and the challenges in modern terms of peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995, peacebuilding activities was started in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the international community. Over the past period, peacebuilding has achieved limited success in the conflict. Ukrainian war in 2022 also affected the conflict of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The accusation of the West by Russia and China in the problem of Bosnia and Herzegovina raised doubts about the effectiveness of peacebuilding. From this point of view, this topic is relevant in current terms. Methodology: Analysis and synthesis methods were used in the preparation of the study. The study identified successes, failures and shortcomings of peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The position of local actors, criticism and current challenges in the peacebuilding process were analyzed. Based on the current international situation, the study concludes that it is necessary to adapt peacebuilding to the challenges of the time, the importance of its long-term application in the Bosnia and Herzegovina conflict.

Keywords

Bosnia and Herzegovina Peacebuilding Conflict International Actor

References

  • Atanasov, P., Sasajkovski, S., Lazarevski, P., Maljichi, D., & Zarevski, D. (2023). Can Volatile Societies Support Stable States?: Case Studies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
  • Bagheri, A., & Bagheri, S. (2020). The balance of power in the Balkans. Harvard International Review, 30.
  • Bjarnason, M. (2001). The War and War-Games in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. The Main Events, Disagreements and Arguments, Resulting in, a" De Facto" Divided Country. Reykjavik: Magnus Bjarnason.
  • Bugajski, J. (2013). Return of the Balkans: Challenges to European Integration and US Disengagement. Strategic Studies Institute and US Army War College Press.
  • Country rankings (2024). www.theglobaleconomy.com. Political stability - Country rankings. https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/wb_political_stability/.
  • Dedić, H. (2020). Dayton Peace Agreement and Political Reforms in the Context of the Transition of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Society. International scientific journal European Perspectives, 11(2 (20)), 41-58.
  • Demény, G. (2011). Factors of socio-economic uncertainty in the Bosnian War. Microcon Dempsey, G. T. (2001). Bosnia: The Makıng Of A Potemkın State. National Security and The Future, 117-161.
  • Farcas, R. (2020). Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Failure of Post-Conflict Reconciliation. Astra Salvensis-revista de istorie si cultura, 8(2020), 119-132
  • Fazlić, F. (2020). Twenty five years of the Dayton Agreement. SEER: Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe, 23(2), 165-186. Fischer, M. (2006). Bosnia’s Challenge: Economic Reform, Political Transformation and War-to-Peace-Transition. Peacebuilding and Civil Society in Bosnia-Herzegovina–Ten Years after Dayton. Münster & London: Lit-Verlag, 441-470.
  • Hadžić, F. (2021). Social And political (the Others) exclusions within the post-Yugoslav ethnonational institutionalization in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Birey ve Toplum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 11(1), 171-196.
  • Harland, D. (2017). Never again: International intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina. UK Government Stabilisation Unit.
  • Hronešová, B. J. (2022). Ethnopopulist denial and crime relativisation in Bosnian Republika Srpska. East European Politics, 38(1), 21-42.
  • Jaeho, K., & Sup, K. C. (2023). A Self-determined Failure of the Ethnically Fractionalised?: A Comparative Review of Self-Deterministic Peacebuilding Governance in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Myanmar. Journal of International and Area Studies, 30(2), 25-46.
  • Institute for Economics & Peace. Global Peace Index 2023: Measuring Peace in a Complex World. Institute for Economics & Peace, 2023.
  • International Crisis Group. (2022). Managing the Risks of Instability in the Western Balkans: Europe Report. International Crisis Group.
  • Kapetanović, A. (Ed.). (2015). The Legacy of Peace: Bosnia and Herzegovina 20 years after the Dayton Peace Accords. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
  • Kazansky, R., Musladin, M., & Ondrejmiskova, I. (2021). Bosnia and Herzegovina: from war to negative peace. Security Dimensions: International & National Studies, 35, 50-64.
  • Kirichenko, D., & Cipan, V. (2024). Russian Influence and Disinformation Operations in the Balkans. Georgetown Security Studies Review 11, 65-85.
  • Kivimäki, T., Kramer, M., & Pasch, P. (2007). The Dynamics of Conflict in the. European Journal of International Relations, 16(2), 297-309.
  • Kozljak, A. (2021). International community must fulfil uncompleted work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Skopje, North Macedonia, 28, 28-36.
  • Larsen, H. B. L. (2020). The Western Balkans between the EU, NATO, Russia and China. CSS Analyses in Security Policy, 263.
  • Mearsheimer, J. J., & Van Evera, S. (1995). When peace means war. New republic, 18, 16-21.
  • Memović, E. H., & Trlin, D. (2022). Political Parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Principle of the Constituency of Peoples. Studia Politica: Romanian Political Science Review, 22(1). 51-66.
  • Milan, C. (2020). Reshaping citizenship through collective action: Performative and prefigurative practices in the 2013–2014 cycle of contention in Bosnia & Hercegovina. In Activist Citizenship in Southeast Europe (pp. 10-25). Routledge.
  • Özoflu, M. A., & Besgul, B. (2023). A Critical Analysis of the Neoliberal State-Building in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Gap Between Aims and Achievements. Corvinus Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 14(1), 131-150.
  • Pejanović, M. (2020). Dayton Peace Accords–A Turning Point in the Historical Sustainability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. International scientific journal European Perspectives, 11(2 (20)), 17-39.
  • Pepi, P. (2021). The Road to Independence: Historical Background, Legality, and Legitimacy of the Proposed Secession of the Bosnian Serbs from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Penn St. JL & Int'l Aff., 10, 249.
  • Ruge, M. (2020).Hostage State: How to Free Bosnia from Dayton’s Paralysing Grip. ECFR,
  • Stojarová, V. (2019). Unifying the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina–mission completed?. Vojenské rozhledy, 28(3), 71-82.
  • The Fund for Peace. (2023). Fragile States Index Annual Report 2023. The Fund for Peace.
There are 30 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Late Modern History (Other)
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Elmar Ismayilzada 0009-0005-7789-3956

Early Pub Date February 22, 2025
Publication Date April 8, 2025
Submission Date November 30, 2024
Acceptance Date February 18, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 12 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Ismayilzada, E. (2025). “Facing the Fractures”: Exploring Challenges in Bosnia’s Peacebuilding Journey. Akademik Tarih Ve Düşünce Dergisi, 12(1), 443-450. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15627552
 Download Cover Image

По всем вопросам приема статей и выпуска очередных номеров обращаться в редакцию соответствующего журнала

                                                                                                                                                   

                                                           Akademik Tarih ve Düşünce Dergisi   Creative Commons Atıf-GayriTicari 4.0 Uluslararası Lisansı ile lisanslanmıştır.

  ©  ATDD Tüm Hakları Saklıdır 


CC-BY-NC