Bosnian opposition leader Bakir Izetbegovic said that “something dangerous” would happen in the Bosnian Serb administrative centre of Banja Luka in the coming days, but declined to elaborate, prompting sharp criticism from government officials and political rivals.
Izetbegovic, leader of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), made the remarks in an interview with Federation TV (FTV), where he accused the current authorities in Bosnia’s Federation entity of lacking control over key political developments.
“We have the illusion that Elmedin Konakovic and Denis Becirovic control the processes. In reality, they are surprised by events, as they will be again in the coming days by things that will happen in Banja Luka. I will not say what,” Izetbegovic said.
He suggested the developments could involve what he described as further concessions to Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, and hinted at the involvement of international actors, without providing evidence. He added that the situation was “dangerous” but refused to clarify further.
The comments drew swift criticism from Konakovic, Bosnia’s foreign minister, who accused Izetbegovic of alarming the public and acting irresponsibly if he possessed information about potential risks but failed to share it with authorities.
“If someone has such information and does not report it to the relevant institutions, that is irresponsible and could constitute a criminal offence,” Konakovic said during a visit to the United States.
The dispute highlights growing political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of general elections expected in October, with opposition and ruling parties increasingly clashing over security, governance and foreign policy issues.
Additional reaction came from Slaven Kovacevic, an adviser to Bosnian Presidency member Zeljko Komsic, who said he was aware of the issue referenced by Izetbegovic but described it as political rather than security-related.
“I know what it is about, but it has not been finalised. Various things could happen. There will be no instability or incident, but there will be further discussion,” Kovacevic said in an interview with public broadcaster BHT1.
Konakovic’s party, Narod i Pravda, later issued a statement describing the claims as irresponsible and potentially harmful, saying vague warnings about “dangerous events” risked causing unnecessary fear among citizens, particularly returnees living in Republika Srpska.
The party called on Izetbegovic and Kovacevic to share any relevant information with state institutions, stressing that withholding such information could undermine public trust and institutional response mechanisms.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remains politically divided along ethnic lines following the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the 1992–95 war and established the country’s complex political system. Periodic disputes between leaders of the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska have continued to test institutional stability.
Izetbegovic’s remarks come amid renewed debate over the role of international actors and the authority of state-level institutions, as well as ongoing disagreements with Dodik, who has repeatedly advocated for greater autonomy for Republika Srpska.
Analysts say the exchange reflects a broader escalation in pre-election rhetoric, with parties seeking to mobilise support ahead of what is expected to be a closely contested vote later this year.