Disagreements between the United States and key European powers have delayed the appointment of a new international High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, raising the prospect that a self-imposed July 14 deadline will be missed.
Louis Crishock, who was appointed acting High Representative on June 30 following Christian Schmidt’s resignation, said the international community remains united in supporting the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and its executive powers, even as negotiations over Schmidt’s permanent successor continue.
“The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) is responsible for nominating the candidate. We hope that will happen by the deadline, and if not, shortly afterward,” Crishock told the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s public broadcaster.
The Peace Implementation Council had expected to appoint a permanent High Representative by July 14. However, diplomatic sources indicate that France, Germany and the United Kingdom have yet to reach agreement with the United States on a candidate.
Crishock stressed that the delay does not affect the functioning of the OHR, saying he currently exercises all the powers of the High Representative, including the so-called Bonn Powers, which allow the office to impose laws, amend legislation and dismiss elected officials when the Dayton Peace Agreement or Bosnia’s constitutional order are deemed to be under serious threat.
“I have all the powers of the High Representative, including the Bonn Powers, should the Dayton Agreement, peace or stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina be seriously endangered,” he said.
He added that the use of such powers remains a measure of last resort, with the priority continuing to be encouraging Bosnia’s political leaders to resolve disputes through dialogue.
During his five-year mandate, Schmidt repeatedly used the Bonn Powers to break political deadlocks and implement institutional reforms, decisions that were welcomed by some political actors but strongly opposed by others, particularly leaders in Republika Srpska.
Crishock said the OHR would continue to insist on full implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, as well as respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order, regardless of when a permanent High Representative is appointed.