Bosnia and Herzegovina’s foreign minister has raised concerns with US officials about lobbying efforts by Republika Srpska, a Serb-majority self-governing entity within the country, which has engaged several associates of former President Donald Trump to advocate in Washington. Elmedin Konaković sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior figures highlighting the use of Republika Srpska public funds to influence US policymakers on behalf of political groups closely aligned with Russia.

Konaković pointed to a ruling by Bosnia’s top court last month that determined Republika Srpska could not use its budget to pay foreign lobbyists promoting the entity’s independence. Such a move is seen by many in the region as potentially destabilizing and capable of sparking renewed conflict.

Reports disclosed that Chris LaCivita and James Blair, longtime aides to Trump, received hundreds of thousands of dollars for consulting work related to Republika Srpska’s election campaigns this year. However, there is no evidence that these consultants specifically advocated for the enclave’s independence. The White House and State Department have not commented on these developments.

Republika Srpska’s political landscape remains dominated by Milorad Dodik, a former president known for his ultranationalist stance and close ties to Russia. Although Dodik is barred from holding office, he continues to exert influence as head of the ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD).

Over the past two years, Republika Srpska has reportedly invested significant sums to hire lobbyists and advisers aligned with Trump to seek relief from US sanctions imposed on Dodik and to push for a reconsideration of the Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian War in 1995.

While Republika Srpska’s lobbying focuses on gaining political leverage in the United States, these actions have prompted concern from Bosnia’s central government and others wary of efforts that could undermine the fragile peace and stability established by the Dayton accords. The ongoing lobbying highlights the complex interplay of local political ambitions, international influence, and broader geopolitical tensions in the Western Balkans.