More Republika Srpska Sanctions

The United States today designated eight individuals who organized and executed the commemoration of Republika Srpska (RS) Day on January 8-10, 2024 in support of RS President Milorad Dodik’s secessionist agenda.  Seven of those sanctioned today also helped plan and organize the 2025 commemoration. 

RS commemorations have been determined to be unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.  Directed and overseen by Dodik, they are emblematic of Dodik’s longstanding efforts to undermine the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, a cornerstone for regional peace and security.  These individuals’ actions threaten the territorial integrity, peace, and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina by undermining the Dayton framework and its core institutions, including the BiH Constitutional Court and the authority of the High Representative. 

Today, the United States is also sanctioning five individuals and one entity that form part of the Dodik family’s financial patronage network.  Dodik has used his official position to accumulate personal wealth through companies linked to himself and his family at the expense of the Bosnian people.  Dodik and his family often rely of a network of trusted associates to obfuscate their involvement and circumvent U.S. sanctions.   

Republika Srpska was formed in 1992 at the outset of the Bosnian War with the stated intent to safeguard the interests of the Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The war saw the expulsion of the vast majority of Croats and Bosniaks from the territory claimed by Republika Srpska and an inflow of Serbs expelled from Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Following the Dayton Agreement of 1995, Republika Srpska was recognised as an entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today most of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Serb population lives in Republika Srpska.

The Dayton Peace Agreement and the Constitution of BiH are the democratic and multiethnic framework essential to peace and stability in the country.  As demonstrated by President Biden’s January 8, 2025 E.O. expanding U.S. sanctions authorities in the Western Balkans, the U.S. government will continue to promote accountability for those who seek to erode the rule of law and threaten peace and stability and facilitate efforts to circumvent U.S. sanctions. 

The Department of the Treasury designated Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik on January 5, 2022, and on July 17, 2017.  Treasury’s actions today were taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) Executive Order 14033, as amended by E.O. 14140.    More details in [Treasury Press Release]