In light of the
appointment of the incumbent High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and his recent decisions, differences between the Office of the High
Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska have emerged regarding the appointment procedure of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and his powers
under Annex 10 to the Dayton Peace Agreement. The first legal issue
centres on whether the High Representative for
Bosnia and Herzegovina requires endorsement by the UN Security Council to be considered valid. The second
legal issue involves determining the scope of the High Representative’s powers. The implications of these differences can- not
be understated, since they represent a threat to peace and security in the
region. A possible solution of this situation might be in referring both legal
issues to the International Court of Justice.
Key words: Dayton Peace Agreement, the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska,
appointment, powers, UN.