U.S. Treasury Lifts Sanctions on Bosnian Serb Leader

The U.S. Treasury Department has lifted sanctions on Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik and his associates, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. This change comes without a detailed explanation from OFAC but follows secret initiatives by Serb officials to redefine relations with Washington.

Milorad Dodik, known for his pro-Russian and secessionist stances, was banned from politics in August following a court ruling. On October 18, Bosnian Serb lawmakers acknowledged his stepping aside by appointing an interim president, marking the first official recognition of the court's decision. A temporary leader, aligned with Dodik, is set to hold office until early presidential elections scheduled for November 23.

In a move to ease regional tensions, the parliament has also repealed separatist laws enacted over the preceding year. These developments have been praised by the U.S. State Department as a successful outcome of American-led diplomatic efforts to stabilize Bosnia and Herzegovina.