In advance of Bosnia’s October general elections, U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) on July 20 sponsored a bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on foreign persons undermining the Dayton Peace Agreement or threatening the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The destabilizing and anti-democratic behavior of some officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Russia’s destructive influence, threaten to undermine the legacy of U.S. leadership in brokering the Dayton Peace Agreement and supporting the country’s stability,” Rep. Wagner said following her introduction of the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act, H.R. 8453, with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA).
“By mandating sanctions to address the political crisis and corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this bill makes clear to internal and external bad actors that they will be held accountable for threatening peace and stability in the country,” added Rep. Wagner.
If enacted, H.R. 8453 also would state that it is the policy of the United States to support a unified, sovereign and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina; support progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration; and expose Russia’s role in fueling instability in Bosnia and imperiling the Office of the High Representative and EU peacekeeping presence in Bosnia, according to the text of the bill.
Additionally, the bill would require regular reporting to establish strong congressional oversight over the administration’s use of sanctions to hold accountable internal and external actors undermining stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the text says.
“We have a strong Bosnian community in St. Louis and following conversations with local advocates, I know how vital it is we use our sanctions authority to prevent Bosnia from being seriously destabilized,” Rep. Wagner said. “Ahead of the October elections, this message could not be more critical.”
H.R. 8453 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.