The signing of the Dayton Accord in November, 1995 ended the war in Bosnia. The Dayton Accord aimed to bring balance to those who wanted an independent unitary state, the Bosniacs, and those who sought autonomy, the Bosnian Serbs.
Attempts to end the war before the Dayton Accord were unsuccessful largely because the international community was not committed to solving the conflict. After Srebrenica, the 1995 massacre that killed roughly 8,000 Bosnian men and boys, the United States became involved in the Bosnian conflict and NATO decided to use military force in the region. The involvement of the EU and the U.S. was the key factor in making the Dayton Accords successful and ending the conflict in Bosnia.
How the Dayton Accord Divided Bosnia
The institutional part of the agreement creates a Bosnian state that is divided between Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is shared between the Bosniacs and the Croats, and the Republika Srpska. The Bosniac-Croat federation holds 51% of the territory with the remaining 49% controlled by the Republika Srpska. Each division will have their own parliament and presidency.
How the Dayton Accord Outlines Elections
Elections must be free and fair and will be observed by international mediators, mainly the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE. Elections had to take place 6-9 months after the agreement was signed for the presidency and House of Representatives for both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. It was recommended that local elections take place between 6-12 months. Putting pressure on the two entities to have prompt elections was strength of the agreement, because organizing the political sphere is a prerequisite to implementing other reforms and provisions.
How the Dayton Accord Ended the Violence
In addition to the political aspect, there is also a large military section to the Dayton Accord. Each party agreed to withdraw their military forces and large weapons from the opposing party’s territory. The Dayton Accord allowed a multinational military Implementation Force, IFOR, under the command of NATO and authority granted from the UN, to remain in Bosnia and ensure the implementation of the Dayton Accord’s military provisions. IFOR has the right to use force, has control over airspace, and freedom of movement .
Dayton Accord Establishes Bosnia’s New Constitution
The Constitution for Bosnia and Herzegovina applies to both entities. The constitution provides for the protection of human rights and free movement for people, goods, capital, and services throughout the country. A central authority operating in Sarajevo, the original capital now split between both entities, will control foreign trade and monetary policy. The central government will have control over law enforcement, foreign policy, control of air space, and other areas agreed upon. The central government will have a directly elected presidency, a two chamber legislature, and a constitutional court .
Annex 7 seeks to protect refugees and displaced persons. A Commission on Displaced Persons and Refugees gave final decisions about how to distribute lost property or the amount of compensation. All people are allowed to move freely throughout the country without discrimination. Annex 6 protects human rights by allowing for international community, including the UN human rights agencies, to monitor the human rights and refugee situation. Providing for the protection of human rights and victims of the conflict was a necessary component of a successful agreement. The involvement of the international community ensured that the Annexes on human rights and refugees would be implemented.
Bosnia’s Status after the Dayton Accord
Fourteen years after it was signed, Bosnia has not reached the goals put in place by the Dayton Accord. The role of the High Representative is becoming less effective, and the Republika Srpska leaders tout nationalist rhetoric rather than focusing on making Bosnia a functioning nation.
Vanessa Padgalskas - Vanessa graduated from American University in 2007 with a double major in International Studies and Economics. Her studies focused on ...
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