A roundup of Yugoslavia-related news for the months of October and November 2020.
25 Years of the Dayton Peace Accords
“Under a Divisive Peace, Wartime Rifts Hobble Hope in Bosnia,” New York Times, 11/20/2020
“The Dayton Accords, which ended fighting in the country 25 years ago, created a dysfunctional system that put power in the hands of politicians stoking ethnic division.”
“Peace and Division in BiH: 25 Years of the Dayton Peace Accords” – Gorana Mlinarević & Nela Porobić Isaković (Podcast Episode 18)
“[The Dayton Peace Agreement] really brought to Bosnia profound changes to our political and economic and social structures. We didn’t just go from war to peace, supposedly, we went from a political economy of socialism to one of capitalism and, you know, this was not a matter of popular vote, but rather as an outcome of a peace agreement that was negotiated and signed by a handful of men in a military base in a foreign country.”
29 Years Since the Fall of Vukovar
“Croatia Commemorates 29th Anniversary of Fall of Vukovar,” Balkan Insight, 11/18/2020
“The Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Vukovar became a public holiday this year, and commemorative events in the town began with the national anthem and a minute’s silence.”
“Iconic War-Damaged Tower Reopens in Croatia’s Vukovar,” Balkan Insight, 10/30/2020
“A water tower that became a symbol of Vukovar, which was badly damaged during the siege of the eastern Croatian town in 1991, is being reopened as a memorial after it was renovated.”
Municipal Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Opposition Takes Key Cities in Bosnia’s Local Elections,” Balkan Insight, 11/16/2020
“Bosnia’s local elections saw ruling parties on the national level losing key strongholds in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, suggesting a potential shift on country’s stale political scene. Despite a low turnout, opposition parties have made incursions in some of the key cities and municipalities across the country, preliminary results on Monday from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s local elections show.”
“Nationalist parties lose Sarajevo and other major cities in Bosnia’s municipal elections,” Euronews, 11/16/2020
“The results are seen as a blow to the long-entrenched Bosnian and Serb nationalist parties, who lost power in the capital, Sarajevo, and the biggest Serb-run town, Banja Luka.”
“Envoy Hails Bosnia’s Election Results, Agrees New Constitution Needed,” Radio Free Europe, 11/25/2020
“Nationalist Bosnian Muslim, Serbian, and Croatian parties have held power for most of the period since the end of the 1992-95 Bosnian War. But criticism of the handling of the coronavirus pandemic and scandals surrounding the purchase of medical equipment have strengthened support for moderate opposition parties.”
“Speaking just days after the 25th anniversary of the Dayton accords that put an end to the civil war, Inzko said that a lot had been achieved under the agreement, that also doubles as a constitution for Bosnia, but the time had come for it to be changed.”
In Other News
“Montenegro Parliament Opens War Crimes Documentation Centre,” Balkan Insight, 10/5/2020
“The new, parliament-backed Documentation Centre in the Montenegrin capital will hold statements, indictments, judgments and other source material related to the country’s role in the 1990s wars.”
“Bosnia Presidency Fails to Agree on Recognition of Kosovo,” Balkan Insight, 10/15/2020
“For the second time in less than a month, the three-member Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the body in charge of foreign policy, has discussed whether Bosnia should recognize Kosovo – and failed to reach a consensus.”
“Serbia and Albania Sign Deal on Freedom of Movement,” Balkan Insight, 11/9/2020
“President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama signed an online deal on Monday under which citizens of both countries can enter the other country with only their IDs, instead of with passports as was the case until now. After the ceremony, Albania’s Rama hailed the agreement as “a positive step”.”
“Balkan Leaders Adopt Plan for Common Regional Market,” Balkan Insight, 11/10/2020
“Leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia adopted a plan for a regional common economic market at a summit in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on Tuesday.”
“The plan envisages a set of measures like reducing cross-border bank charges, removing technical trade barriers, coordinating investment policies, recognising professional qualifications across the region and promoting e-commerce.”
“Serbian Police Stop Nationalists Disrupting Kosovo Culture Festival,” Balkan Insight, 11/22/2020
“A high-profile police presence in Belgrade prevented hundreds of Serbian right-wing extremists from disrupting the opening of a festival that promotes Kosovo Albanian culture and inter-ethnic tolerance.”
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