In nine state ministries, Bosniaks are secretaries in only two, MFA position vacant, Nešić refuses to implement court ruling

(Patria) - Two secretaries are missing in nine state ministries. The position is vacant in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH and the Ministry of Security of BiH.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH was Adi Hadžikapetanović, who passed away on March 17, 2021. This position was not filled during the term of former minister Bisera Turković, nor during the mandate of Elmedin Konaković, who has headed the Ministry since January 25, 2023.

According to the national structure of secretaries in the remaining state ministries, it is evident that Bosniaks should have been appointed to these two positions.

In the Ministry of Security of BiH, headed by Nenad Nešić, there is a final court ruling ordering Bakir Dautbašić to be reinstated as secretary, but Nešić refuses to implement it, and Dautbašić has been assigned to a completely different job outside the Ministry's headquarters.

The positions of secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and the Ministry of Civil Affairs are held by individuals from the Serb people.

In the Ministry of Defense of BiH and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, the secretaries are from the Bosniak people.

The secretary in the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees is from the 'Others' category. In the Ministry of Justice, the secretary is Croat, as is the case in the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Given that positions are filled in accordance with the last population census from 2013, it is clear that these two vacant positions should belong to Bosniaks.

Regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Konaković has not yet made a decision on the public tender procedure for the secretary position. Patria previously wrote that Josip Brkić, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for his second term, is interested in this position. From that position, Brkić would have insight into all operational affairs of the Ministry, and would not be limited by a mandate. The position of Deputy Minister also belongs to the HDZ.

On the other hand, Konaković also faces a complicating factor due to the possibility that the Civil Service Agency of BiH might appoint a candidate itself if the minister fails to do so. For example, if the public tender procedure were completed and Konaković decided not to appoint anyone from the list of candidates, the Agency has the right within 30 days to appoint the top-ranked candidate from the list of successful candidates, regardless of ethnicity.

Konaković has likely decided not to announce a tender for this position due to some previous agreements and relations with the HDZ.