• Bosnian prosecutors order the arrest of Milorad Dodik and aides for ignoring court summons.
• Dodik faces a one-year prison sentence for defying international rulings.
• Constitutional violations from Republika Srpska's new charter heighten political tensions.
• U.S. lawmakers express concern over Dodik's actions threatening Bosnia's unity.
• Increased European peacekeeping presence follows developments in Bosnia.

SARAJEVO, March 12, 2025 - The political landscape in Bosnia is becoming increasingly volatile as Bosnian state prosecutors have ordered the arrest of Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russian leader of the Republika Srpska, along with two of his aides. This decision stems from their failure to comply with court summonses regarding allegations of undermining the constitutional order in the country. The prosecutors' office has expressed serious concerns over Dodik's actions, which include introducing regional laws that challenge the integrity of Bosnia's national government according to Reuters.

Dodik's current predicament follows a recent court ruling that sentenced him to one year in jail for defying directions from Christian Schmidt, the international envoy responsible for enforcing the 1995 Dayton Accords, which ended the Bosnian War. In response to these developments, Dodik has asserted that he does not recognize the legitimacy of the Bosnian judicial system and characterized the arrest warrant as politically motivated as reported by Al Jazeera.

The ongoing crisis is exacerbated by the recent adoption of a draft constitution by the Republika Srpska assembly that directly contravenes Bosnia's national constitution. This move has drawn sharp criticism and raised alarms over the entity's increasing push for autonomy and potential separation from Bosnia from Voice of America.

International observers, including U.S. lawmakers, have voiced deep concerns regarding Dodik’s actions, which are perceived as a threat to the historical peace and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Future deliberations surrounding Dodik may involve seeking international oversight to prevent further destabilization as highlighted in recent discussions.

In light of the escalating tensions in the region, additional European peacekeeping forces have been deployed to bolster the presence of EUFOR troops, aiming to safeguard the fragile state structure and deter potential conflicts in Bosnia according to reports.