STAFFING GAMES: Ćulum Rules SIPA, Law and Oversight Remain Silent!

By: A. Čorbo-Zećo

The State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) increasingly resembles the period when it was led by Goran Zubac. Well-informed sources know the position of Bosniaks and how much they were subordinate when the so-called ‘Chetniks’ led the Special Unit. Several years later, the situation is repeating itself – everything is the same, only he is gone.

The current staffing competition for promotions within SIPA has caused serious controversies within the Agency, as well as among legal experts. The competition was announced during a period when Director Darko Ćulum had left his position, and according to legal procedures, only the current director can announce such competitions.

Warnings are coming from within SIPA itself, as the competition has revealed uneven representation of staff, favoring candidates close to certain individuals in the top management of the Agency and the BiH Prosecutor's Office, while competent investigators are being neglected. Such a practice can seriously affect future investigations, especially those of a more complex and sensitive nature. As a reminder, a similar situation occurred in previous cases when SIPA was helpless in resolving cases like the “Dodik case”.

The difficult situation is further complicated by the fact that the Director of SIPA, Darko Ćulum, after several months of absence and engagement in the entity of Rs, has returned to his position as director without sanctions for illegal behavior. It is increasingly speculated that, although he meets the requirements for retirement, Ćulum is preparing retirement solutions, mostly for Bosniaks, which would further disrupt the national balance in the Agency.

We remind you that a criminal complaint was filed against Ćulum, but the BiH Prosecutor's Office has not confirmed his suspect status, and the complainants have no information about the stage of the proceedings. According to Patria's information, this is precisely where the game lies. Ćulum could reward staff close to certain people in the BiH Prosecutor's Office within SIPA in exchange for ‘closing the investigation against him’.

At the same time, there is a clear lethargy in the supervisory and executive bodies. The Independent Oversight Board, responsible for overseeing staff, initiating disciplinary proceedings, and proposing the dismissal of managers, shows limited effectiveness in this situation. The Council of Ministers of BiH, to which the board submits reports and recommendations, also does not react. The passivity of these bodies allows Ćulum to continue managing staff and investigations outside of legal procedures, which seriously jeopardizes the professionalism and credibility of the Agency.

SIPA’s regional offices are being staffed unevenly, favoring staff connected to certain political and personal interests, while professional standards and transparency are being neglected.

For SIPA to remain credible and regain some of its reputation, it is necessary to depoliticize staffing procedures, ensure balanced representation of staff, and implement transparent promotion procedures based on professional standards.

The passivity of institutions and international partners in such cases undermines public trust and the credibility of the State Investigation and Protection Agency.