North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Stoilkovic attended celebrations in Republika Srpska on Jan. 9, despite the date being ruled unconstitutional and discriminatory by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Constitutional Court. The annual event marks the self-declared “Day of Republika Srpska,” which the court has said marginalizes Bosniak and Croat communities.
Stoilkovic, who serves as minister for inter-community relations, posted on social media that he had attended more of these events than any other official, listing Serbian Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic as the second most frequent participant.
The event in Banja Luka featured around 800 police officers, a parade of officials, and some 2,000 participants from local and Serbian civic organizations. High-profile attendees included members of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency, Republika Srpska’s prime minister, acting president, parliamentary speaker, former Republika Srpska president Milorad Dodik, and Rod Blagojevich, the former U.S. governor of Illinois pardoned by former President Donald Trump.
Members of the Russian motorcycle group “Night Wolves,” known for their support of the Kremlin, also participated. Military hardware including Russian-made Ansat helicopters and Despot and Vihor armored vehicles was displayed during the parade.
A religious ceremony was held earlier at the Church of Christ the Savior, led by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, with Stoilkovic attending alongside Serbian ministers.
The celebration drew criticism in North Macedonia, where the opposition has accused national political figures of maintaining close ties to Serbia and President Aleksandar Vučić.
Under Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code, amended in 2023, organizing or participating in unconstitutional commemorations like Jan. 9 can carry prison terms of six months to five years and bans on holding public office. No sanctions have been applied so far.
The date commemorates the 1992 declaration of a “Serb Republic” in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a move that preceded the country’s war and associated atrocities, including the Srebrenica genocide. International observers and the High Representative’s office have repeatedly criticized its celebration as discriminatory and contrary to final legal decisions.