Bosnian Spring has arrived early
Over the past week, Bosnia-Herzegovina has returned to the international spotlight. What started in the formerly strong industrial town of Tuzla has quickly spread to other areas of B&H. The images, footage and key phrases used in many articles had probably made many think that the violence that characterized B&H in the early 1990’s would return.
Government buildings were set on fire in Zenica, Tuzla, Mostar and Sarajevo. Protestors demanded the resignation of cantonal governments and their prime ministers. So far, the Prime Ministers of Tuzla, Zenica, Sarajevo and Bihac cantons have resigned. Some global media has resorted to using key phrases such as violence and unrest in Bosnia again, which is meant to compel readers to think, whether intentionally or unintentionally, that this country is predisposed to violence and it is its instability that has led to an eruption of violent protests.
However, despite the ethno-nationalist rhetoric that has engulfed this country of nearly 4 million and the ethnic institutionalized division of B&H, it must be noted that these protests have nothing to do with nationalism or ethnic divisions.
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