IUS Hosts Expert Panel Discussion: “Where Bosnia and Herzegovina Stands 30 Years After the Dayton Peace Agreement”
The IUS Balkan Studies Center (BSC) and the Department of Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) successfully held the panel discussion “Where Bosnia and Herzegovina Stands 30 Years After the Dayton Peace Agreement.” The event brought together three distinguished speakers: Mr. Haris Zahiragić, Assistant Prof. Dr. Jahja Muhasilović, and Assistant Prof. Dr. Mustafa Krupalija, who offered rich, multidimensional analyses of Bosnia and Herzegovina three decades after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The panel provided a comprehensive and nuanced examination of Dayton, with each speaker approaching the topic from a specific disciplinary perspective.
Dr. Krupalija explored Dayton through a sociological framework, examining how the post-war constitutional structure continues to shape social relations, community cohesion, and collective identity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He emphasized how social patterns established in the post-Dayton period still influence the everyday lives of citizens.
Dr. Muhasilović analyzed Dayton within the broader context of international relations, focusing on the geopolitical dynamics that produced the agreement and the roles played by key global and regional actors. He also addressed the continuing involvement of the international community and its impact on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political trajectory and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Mr. Zahiragić evaluated the agreement from a political angle, shedding light on the institutional design, governance challenges, and the long-term political consequences of Dayton. His analysis reflected both the strengths and the limitations of the current political system shaped by the agreement.
Despite their differing disciplinary approaches, the panelists reached several shared conclusions. They noted that the Dayton Peace Agreement can be seen as a temporary freezing of an unresolved conflict, yet at the same time, it stands as a significant diplomatic achievement of Alija Izetbegović, who managed the negotiation process under extremely difficult circumstances and secured a comparatively more favorable outcome for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The speakers emphasized that Dayton ensured the continued existence and international recognition of the Bosnian state, marking a critical success at a decisive moment in history. However, they also agreed that constitutional reform remains necessary, as the current framework requires adjustment to improve functionality, long-term stability, and democratic development.
The event concluded with an engaging discussion and questions from the audience, reaffirming the importance of revisiting the Dayton framework three decades later with both critical insight and strategic foresight.
