Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on individuals and entities that are part of the patronage network of Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik. The Treasury Department took action against two individuals and four entities, including Dodik’s two adult children, Igor and Gorica Dodik. This network facilitates Dodik’s leading role in undermining the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord and the authority of the High Representative, as well as perpetuating deep-rooted corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This network also strengthens the country’s cronyism-based economy, hindering critically important economic growth and opportunities for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
US-appointed Dodik – one of the leading voices of genocide denialism and responsible for growing divisions and political gridlock in the country – abused his official position in government to accumulate personal wealth through bribery and other forms of corruption.
Most recently, Dodik pushed for the adoption of a law of the RS National Assembly from June 2023 which purports to declare the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and those of the High Representative inapplicable in RS, thus hindering the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Dodik signed the law, which came into force in July, despite the High Representative’s action to overturn the law, leading the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to indict Dodik for ignoring these decisions.
Today’s designations aim to disrupt elements of the financial network that personally enrich and enable Dodik to the detriment of the territorial integrity and functional governance of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the general economic well-being of the RS .
These actions build on previous U.S. sanctions and visa restrictions to promote accountability for those who engage in corruption and undermine democratic processes or institutions in the region. They are part of the U.S. government’s broader efforts to promote peace, stability, and functional democratic governance in the Western Balkans.
The Treasury Department’s actions are being taken in accordance with Executive Order EO 14033 relating to the Western Balkans. For more information on these designations, see the Treasury document. Press release .