Returnees Today: Political Sarajevo Betrayed Us, and We Are the Last Bastion Defending Bosnia and Herzegovina's Integrity

Samir Okić, a great humanitarian from Vlasenica, whom the late Alija Izetbegović personally appointed as the coordinator for returnees in the Doboj area immediately after the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina, today, like other Bosniaks, is ignoring the referendum, writes the Patria News Agency.

After getting married, Okić moved to Vlasenica and collaborates with a large number of humanitarian organizations, delivering aid packages to everyone in need, regardless of nationality. Precisely because of this, he feels defeated today, defeated by the system, betrayed by politicians from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina... Today, Okić says, returnees are alone and fearful. Some are going about their usual business, while some have left Republika Srpska during the time of the referendum...

When asked to describe in ten sentences how he feels today as a Bosniak returnee, Okić says:

- Being a returnee today in the smaller entity of my country is an honor. I am deeply aware that we are the last bastion defending the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aware that we have been abandoned by political Sarajevo, which literally does not care about returnees, except for a few politicians like Šemsudin Mehmedović and Sejfo Tokić. It is sad and pathetic to see pre-election posters with messages like "With the people, for the people," and today not a single official is present to spend the day with the returnees – says Okić.

Furthermore, Okić sends a clear message to those who, these days, are calling on returnees to remain peaceful, stable, and to stay in their homes...

- We are outraged by the official policy. Among Bosniak leaders, everything boils down to declarative statements and messages from the sidelines. We do not need such messages, but rather projects to strengthen returnees. That is where the future lies – adds Okić.