30 Years After Dayton: Progress, Persistence, and the Work That Still Remains
On 21 November 1995, the Dayton Peace Agreement formally ended the armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). While it halted the violence, it also marked the beginning of a long and complex recovery process. Much of that recovery unfolded in environments where the physical consequences of war – most notably landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) – remained embedded in the landscape and continued to shape everyday life.
Three decades later, this reality has not disappeared. BiH remains one of the most mine-contaminated countries in Europe. Considerable progress has been achieved, yet the scale of the remaining challenge demonstrates that mine action is not a short-term effort but a sustained national and international responsibility.
For ITF Enhancing Human Security, BiH holds a unique place. In many ways, ITF’s institutional story is intertwined with the post-Dayton period. Following Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty in 1999 and its call for international assistance, ITF – established in 1998 – was among the organizations that responded. Although ITF has since expanded its work across multiple regions, BiH was one of the first contexts in which its mission took concrete form.
A key factor in BiH’s mine action progress has been the emergence of a national authority capable of coordinating and regulating this technically demanding field. Since its establishment in 2002, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) has provided the legal and operational framework required for systematic land release, prioritization, and quality assurance. Its role has been central to ensuring that mine action is conducted transparently, in accordance with national standards, and in cooperation with international partners – an architecture that supports national ownership and enables communities to guide their own recovery.
Within this framework, ITF, together with local and international actors, has supported land release, non-technical and technical survey, clearance, and victim assistance throughout the country. These interventions have expanded safe access to agricultural land, settlements, and critical infrastructure, while also supporting individuals and families affected by mine-related injuries. The results are tangible and cumulative, though the overall task remains unfinished.
Today, BiH no longer occupies the same degree of global visibility it once did. Given the number of ongoing and emerging conflicts worldwide, this shift is understandable. Nevertheless, reduced attention does not diminish the risks that unexploded ordnance continues to pose. Continued donor engagement – never guaranteed – remains essential. ITF acknowledges and appreciates those donors who have maintained their support despite broader geopolitical pressures.
Marking Dayton’s 30th anniversary therefore requires a balanced perspective. BiH is undeniably safer than it was three decades ago, and humanitarian mine action has contributed significantly to that trajectory. However, the presence of mines and ERW illustrates how the consequences of conflict endure long after negotiations conclude. Ensuring a mine-free BiH will require sustained commitment, technical expertise, and predictable support.
ITF remains dedicated to working alongside national institutions, partners, and donors to complete this long-term task. Clearing BiH of landmines is not only a technical requirement; it is an essential component of human security, dignified recovery, and a safer future.