Representatives of the EU and of NATO were of the view on Thursday 22 March that the elections scheduled for October in Bosnia and Herzegovina could divide the country ethnically.
“The general election in October is a key, determining factor that could divide the country along ethnic lines”, said Jacques Fradin, Head of the Integrated Strategic Planning Division at the EEAS, at a hearing of the European Parliament’s security and defence committee. “Ahead of the election, we are hearing inflammatory rhetoric from within the political parties, ethnic division is on the increase, the people are frustrated” at the lack of socio-economic progress; “well-qualified young people are continuing to drain away; groups – not formally recognised – are arming themselves; so this causes fear among the population also afraid of a return of foreign fighters”, stated Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Chalons, Military Assistant to the NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (DSACEUR).
The two men turned their attention to the EU CSDP mission, EUFOR Althea. “The operation must be more effective on helping the authorities maintain security and to be more firmly set on the path to EU accession”, Fradin made clear. He added that, to better determine what the country’s forces’ need, it is necessary to know what the main threat is.
Chalons highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation on security between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to address the threats, which include terrorism. He added that the 2014 riots in Bosnia had shown clearly the gaps in awareness in this area among the European force. He argued that the capacity of the mission, which counts 600 men based mainly in Sarajevo, had to be enhanced by rapid intervention forces. He added that 17 liaison officers on the ground in the country increased Althea’s visibility and provided reassurance to the people. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)