Milorad Dodik: A Shift from Reformist to Nationalist Icon

The Bosnian Serb leader, Milorad Dodik, faces mounting tensions and legal issues after being sentenced to jail for defying an international peace envoy. Once backed by the West as a moderate reformer, Dodik transformed into a pro-Russian nationalist, stirring ethnic divides and challenging Bosnia's integrity.

Milorad Dodik, the Bosnian Serb leader, recently faced a jail sentence for defying an international peace envoy's order, prompting Moscow to label the decision as politically motivated. Dodik responded by barring state authorities from the Serb region of Bosnia, leading to an arrest warrant issued by state prosecutors.

Over three decades, Dodik has become a central figure in Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic. Initially a moderate voice, he acknowledged past atrocities and worked with international representatives. However, critics argue he's deepened ethnic divides, transitioning into a pro-Russian separatist, challenging Bosnia's fragile peace.

The EU has ramped up peacekeeping forces amid fears of renewed ethnic tensions reminiscent of the 1990s conflict. With charges of abuse of power and sanctions from both the U.S. and Britain, Dodik's relationship with the West has soured, and his calls for secession grow louder, leaving Bosnia's stability in precarious straits.

(With inputs from agencies.)