Welcome back to This Week in Peace, our weekly summary of events in global peacebuilding.
This week, we discuss positive developments in Bosnia, recent Turkish foreign policy moves and their implications for regional peace, and the ongoing crisis in Haiti.
Despite challenges, Bosnia hopes for a better future
During and after the breakup of Yugoslavia, Bosnia & Herzegovina was the scene of some of the worst atrocities seen in post-World War II Europe, until the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The nation still faces numerous challenges, including emigration and tension due to its unique government structure. However, this week saw a positive step forward. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, announced that the Commission officially recommends opening EU membership talks with Bosnia. While she did mention that the country is not currently fully aligned with the EU’s standards for members, and the bid for membership must be approved by the current members of the bloc, this is an important step forward towards further peace and European integration for Bosnia. Despite tensions with the pro-Russia leader of the Serb political entity within the country, Bosnia’s recovery is a victory for peace, considering how just three decades ago it was left devastated by civil war and widespread ethnic cleansing. EU membership would help to cement that recovery, and bring the benefits of membership in a bloc whose primary goal is to maintain peace among its members. EU membership would strengthen Bosnia’s democracy and economy, and help to ensure that peace lasts in the Balkans.
Turkey’s uneven peace agenda
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to try to present himself as a peacemaker – as long as it’s within Turkey’s interests. This week, he offered to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, while hosting Zelensky. Erdogan has maintained ties with both states since Russia’s invasion, unlike the vast majority of its NATO allies. While he presented Turkey as a peacebuilder on the international stage, his foreign and defense ministers visited Iraq to discuss future cross-border offensives against Kurdish militants, including the PKK (recognized as a terrorist group by the US, Turkey, and other states). Turkey has previously launched attacks against Kurdish groups in Syria, and renewed military action could further destabilize the region and harm civilians.
He has also been a strong rhetorical supporter of the Palestinian cause, calling for an end to Israel’s war in Gaza and the protection of civilians. At the same time, Turkey continues to occupy Northern Cyprus, and is the only nation which recognized the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, which splits the island between the southern Greek-speaking majority and the Turkish minority. The UN Special Representative for Cyprus warned that a peace deal is more urgent than ever as the partition enters its 50th year. The Turkish-backed north has taken a hard line on negotiations, rejecting any solution other than full partition into separate states. There is some hope that a recent positive trend in relations between Turkey and Greece could translate into action on resolving the Cyprus issue, but this has yet to materialize.
Click here for past PNN stories on Turkey and Cyprus.
Haitian PM resigns with an uncertain outlook for peace
The chaos in Haiti has continued, despite the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Beginning last week, powerful and well-armed gangs have taken effective control of the capital of Port-au-Prince, displacing thousands and dangerously escalating violence. The country has been in a prolonged political crisis since the assassination of President Jovonel Moïse in 2021, Henry was unelected and unpopular, and the country no longer has any legitimate elected government. Following months of threats and political tension, the country’s most powerful gangs called for Henry’s resignation while he was out of the country, threatening a “civil war” if he refused to step down. The most powerful gangs, the most prominent led by former police officer Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, claim to be fighting on behalf of the Haitian people but are best known for indiscriminate violence and brutality. A transitional council has been set up to name interim leaders, but it is unclear whether the gangs will end the violence or accept the new leader. Kenya has postponed plans to lead a multinational peacekeeping force, which further threatens long-term peace in Haiti. The international community can play an important role in working for peace in Haiti, but must avoid the many mistakes of the past.
We recently published an op-ed about the importance of trust to peacebuilding and humanitarian work in Haiti, which you can find here.
