Peacebuilding and national reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Volume 17, Issue: 1 part 2
Spring 2026
Pages 887-902

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Tikrit University / College of Political Science / International Relations Department

2 Tikrit University / College of Political Science / Department of International Studies

Abstract
This study examines the path to peacebuilding and national reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina by analyzing the components of the post-conflict process, including the accompanying international, regional, and local interventions aimed at reshaping social and political stability. The study begins with an overview of pre-war Bosnia, characterized by religious and ethnic pluralism. It then explains how this diversity became a source of conflict due to political and ethnic rivalries and the failure of state institutions to manage pluralism effectively. The study also addresses the underlying causes of the war and its impact on society and institutional structures.
The study examined four interconnected paths to peacebuilding: peacekeeping, which provided a minimum level of security; peacemaking, embodied in settlement agreements; peace enforcement, which represented the most crucial military and political phase in establishing stability; and the recovery path, which focused on rebuilding institutions and inter-community relations. In the context of national reconciliation, the study highlights the importance of the participation of local actors, particularly Islamic communities and institutions, which contributed to producing a discourse focused on coexistence and the rejection of violence. It also highlights the role of the CIM Center, which developed practical programs such as peace camps and peace caravans, creating spaces for dialogue and renewed communication among young people from diverse backgrounds.
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Subjects
  • Receive Date 25 November 2025
  • Revise Date 07 December 2025
  • Accept Date 07 December 2025