Cerić: Izetbegović and Tihić divided SDA and have no right to talk about unity!

Bosniaks are a democratic people and do not live in a time of monolithic thinking and a one-party system, it was announced today from the Press Service of the independent candidate for the BiH Presidency member Mustafa Cerić, on the occasion of today's statements by the Chairman of the BiH Presidency Bakir Izetbegović, reports the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

Izetbegović said that "Cerić has the right to that decision, but he should consider the repercussions of that decision."

- How will it affect potential divisions among Bosniaks, divisions within the Islamic Community. His decision is his business, but if I were in his place, I would think twice or three times before making such a decision. It can lead to new divisions, animosity, conflicts... – Izetbegović said today.

However, Cerić's press service says that Izetbegović has no right to talk about divisions or unity of Bosniaks, given his past policies.

- No one has the right to take away the right we fought for from Bosniaks, nor to force us into monolithic thinking and a one-party system. Dr. Cerić's candidacy does not mean any division, on the contrary. But, the role of Izetbegović and Sulejman Tihić in the divisions within the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), and thus among Bosniaks, who have divided into Tihić's and Izetbegović's people, is well known – the statement reads.

At the same time, they also pose a question to Izetbegović why he is invoking divisions within the Islamic Community in BiH, despite the fact that the Islamic Community of BiH has its own Reis-ul-ulema, its own Constitution and its own stance, and is in no way connected, nor should it be connected, to politics.

- Where does Izetbegović get information about possible divisions in the Islamic Community of BiH when Reis-ul-ulema Husein ef. Kavazović clearly stated that the Islamic Community of BiH and its officials will not be instrumentalized for political purposes. The Islamic Community of BiH has its representatives, and it is their right, not the right of politicians, to speak on its behalf. We ask Izetbegović to therefore leave the Islamic Community of BiH alone – state from the Press Service of Dr. Cerić.

Also, commenting on Izetbegović's statement, they say it sounds somewhat threatening, given that he has warned Cerić several times that he should not have run.

- Izetbegović's statement that Dr. Cerić had to think more carefully sounds like some kind of warning or unacceptable threat. Instead of accepting a fair and correct political contest and explaining to voters what he has done for Bosniaks and the country in four years, Izetbegović is only trying to remove those who have the vision and ability to restore dignity and honor to the citizens and the country and the function he performs through intimidation and threats – the statement from the Press Service of the independent candidate for the BiH Presidency member reads.

The Press Service of Dr. Cerić's Election Headquarters reiterates the call to all candidates for the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to all political entities, not to use radical rhetoric, harsh words, slander, or belittling of anyone.

- We expect that in a fair and correct contest, we will all together contribute to the upcoming campaign and elections proceeding in the spirit of the interests of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina – it is stated in the statement of the Press Service of the Election Headquarters of the candidate for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Mustafa Cerić.