A group of US senators and congressmen have addressed a joint letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging immediate action to safeguard the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The letter raises concerns over recent actions by Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, highlighting that he has undermined the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina and violated the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Lawmakers are advocating for sanctions to prevent any further deterioration of the situation in Bosnia.

They specifically recommend the expansion of targeted sanctions against Dodik and his associates, which would include additional financial restrictions and a travel ban for those who threaten the nation’s sovereignty.

Furthermore, they are calling for enhanced diplomatic efforts with Bosnia, including the appointment of a special envoy for the Western Balkans to streamline policy coordination.

The letter also urges the US to collaborate closely with European allies to present a united front against secessionist movements, suggesting a review of EUFOR’s readiness to counter potential security threats.

On March 5, Milorad Dodik signed decrees that declared unconstitutional laws passed by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, which restrict the operations of the Court and Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia, the Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC).

This legislation was adopted on February 27, following a court ruling that sentenced the RS President to a year in prison and barred him from holding office for six years.

Additionally, on March 13, the entity parliament is set to discuss a proposed new RS Constitution, which aims to designate RS as a state for the Serbian people, grant it the right to self-determination, establish its own military, and abolish the Council of Peoples.

The letter emphasizes that the security, stability, and economic prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina remain priorities for the United States, as well as the Western Balkans as a whole.

“Strong leadership from the United States, in collaboration with our allies, is vital to countering Dodik’s destabilizing actions. We are prepared to support the Administration’s efforts in this regard,” the senators and congressmen asserted, noting that Dodik has engaged in secessionist activities for years, which resulted in sanctions during Trump’s presidency.

On March 12, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued an order for Dodik to appear for questioning after he had neglected a previous summons from the judicial body.

The Prosecutor’s Office has been conducting an investigation since December 2024, suspecting that an “attack on the constitutional order” has occurred.

Under Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code, penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a ban on performing official duties apply to anyone who unlawfully attempts to alter the constitutional order or overthrow its highest institutions.

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