The Dayton Paris Agreement, also known as the Dayton Accords, is a peace agreement that was signed in December 1995. The agreement was negotiated in Dayton, Ohio, but was signed in Paris on December 14, 1995. It brought an end to the Bosnian War, which had lasted from 1992 to 1995.
The Dayton Paris Agreement was a significant achievement in international diplomacy, as it brought together leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia to negotiate an end to the conflict. The negotiations were brokered by the United States, with the support of the European Union and the United Nations.
The agreement established a federal system of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, divided into two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. It also created a central government with a rotating presidency, consisting of one representative from each of the three major ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs.
The Dayton Paris Agreement also led to the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which was tasked with prosecuting war crimes committed during the Bosnian War. The ICTY indicted more than 160 individuals, including military and political leaders, for crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
In recent years, the Dayton Paris Agreement has come under scrutiny for its role in perpetuating ethnic divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The agreement has been criticized for failing to address the root causes of the conflict, namely ethnic tensions and political corruption.
Despite these criticisms, the Dayton Paris Agreement remains an important milestone in the history of international diplomacy. It is a reminder of the power of negotiation and compromise in resolving even the most complex and violent conflicts. As the world continues to face new challenges and conflicts, the lessons of Dayton Paris Agreement will continue to be relevant.