Bosnia peace envoy Christian Schmidt confirms he is stepping down

Christian Schmidt has confirmed that he is stepping down as Bosnia and Herzegovina's international high representative, raising fresh questions about the future of the Office of the High Representative.

His office said he has taken the personal decision to conclude his service to the implementation of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Schmidt has held the post since 2021, making him the second-longest serving high representative.

The role was created under the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement and gives the office wide-ranging powers to oversee the peace settlement.

Schmidt said he will remain in office until a successor is selected.

The announcement matters because the office has long been central to Bosnia's post-war governance, especially when domestic leaders have been unable to agree.

Schmidt used the so-called Bonn Powers several times to block separatist legislation promoted by Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik.

That confrontation has already had legal and political consequences.

Dodik received a one-year prison sentence and a six-year ban on holding public office after defying the blocks.

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