Muhasilović for NAP: The narrative of pro-Bosnian forces must be victorious, and diplomacy multi-vector

(Patria) - A scientific gathering titled "Instrumentalization and Politicization of National Rights: The Declaration of the 'All-Serbian Assembly' as a continuation of Greater Serbia policy" was held this evening at the premises of the University of Sarajevo Rectorate.

The gathering was organized by the Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo.

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The Declaration of the 'All-Serbian Assembly' is a threat to regional peace, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Patria) - A scientific gathering was opened this evening in the Ceremonial Hall of the University of Sarajevo Rectorate

One of the speakers at this event was Professor of International Relations and Geopolitics Jahja Muhasilović, who told the Patria News Agency that he was pleased, and primarily obligated, to speak on topics that threaten the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Muhasilović emphasizes that one of our fundamental problems is the lack of a strategy for dealing with the entity of Republika Srpska, which we have not adequately developed even after three decades.

- Without resolving the issue of Annex 7 and return, or rather, that demographic victory in the entity of Republika Srpska, our situation is complicated, and any strategy and action is inadequate and flawed.

What scares me in the entity of Republika Srpska, and numerous examples in other regions show this, is that if there is a political and administrative framework that has a demographic advantage on its side, as is the case with Serbs in the entity of Republika Srpska, the assimilation of numerically smaller communities into that prevailing identity within that political and administrative framework is inevitable.

The weakening of pro-Bosnian policy is certainly problematic for action in that entity, and we have entered a process of "boiling a frog" in which Bosniaks, unfortunately, are going through a period of assimilation and where we see a model in which they increasingly vote for Dodik and other Serb parties - points out Muhasilović.

According to him, secession is a real problem, although it does not seem imminent at the moment. However, it can happen in the long term.

- The main question we should ask ourselves is - what is our concrete response to secession, and are we prepared to respond to it adequately and institutionally?

Our primary task should be institutional strengthening, because without strong state institutions, we cannot respond to such policies. Certainly, we should finally move from reaction to active engagement - adds Muhasilović.

He says he would not shy away from subversive actions in the entity of Republika Srpska, in terms of discrediting separatist policies and the parties that advocate for them.

- I don't think it's out of the question to form a Bosnian Orthodox Church, because a lot of negative policy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina is generated precisely through the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) - says Muhasilović.

He also assesses the mobilization of the diaspora as very important, as a large number of Bosniaks have emigrated from the entity of Republika Srpska to the diaspora. And they should no longer be just a passive voting body, but should develop much higher quality policies, a stronger economic footprint, i.e., their presence in the entity of Republika Srpska.

- Our business community must also actively engage here, because it must be aware of the fact that its economic strengthening and enrichment is only possible within a political framework where we hold power, not secessionists.

Cultural activities are also very important. I have proposed that all cultural centers in cities where we have at least political power and influence be renamed Bosnian cultural centers - this is very easy to implement, and it is very important on a symbolic level.

It is also necessary to exert pressure on Serbia where we can, for example, through the Sandžak region, because I believe that the best defense is offense. Serbia would probably hesitate to do many of the things it does if we had a stronger influence on its territory.

Certainly, Bosniaks living in Serbia and the region can be of assistance to us, because their political affirmation is also not possible if Sarajevo is weak, given that it is the political center towards which they gravitate - says Muhasilović.

He also considers the synchronization of narratives very important, because, as he says, there is a cacophony of narratives present here in Sarajevo.

- We need media synchronization at the terminological level - that mistakes are not repeated, such as our media using terms like "political Sarajevo", "joint institutions", which can happen - emphasizes our interlocutor.

International lobbying is also very important, says Muhasilović, because we have reached a situation where Serbia, which was ostracized by the international community due to the genocide it committed, currently stands much better internationally than we do, which should not have happened under any circumstances.

- We need to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy, and not work exclusively with the West. Change the victim narrative to a victor narrative. For example, the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina actually won this war; we fought for independence, very bloodily, but we achieved it. And therefore, we must build that victorious narrative - concluded Muhasilović in an interview with Patria.

(D. Kovač)