A Funeral Fit for a Warlord: What Mladic’s Return Means for Serbia and the World

The arrival of Ratko Mladic’s body in Belgrade on Thursday brought together two seemingly contradictory aspects of Serbian society: nostalgia for a bygone era and reverence for the country’s troubled past. The war criminal, who died last week at 84 while serving a life sentence for genocide and war crimes, received a hero’s welcome from the government and its supporters.

A Nation in Denial

Mladic’s funeral is expected to be one of the largest in recent history, a stark reminder that many Serbs still refuse to confront the atrocities committed during the Bosnian war. To his supporters, Mladic was a national hero who fought for Serbian independence and territorial integrity, but to outsiders, he was known as the “Butcher of Bosnia.” This dichotomy speaks volumes about the country’s collective psyche, which has long struggled to come to terms with its own dark history.

A Symbol of State Complicity

The fact that Mladic’s body received military honors is a slap in the face to the international community, which has spent years trying to bring war crimes perpetrators to justice. The presence of Justice Minister Nenad Vujic and other government officials at the airport was a clear indication that Serbia’s leaders are more interested in appeasing their domestic constituents than in upholding international law.

A Glimpse into the Past

The funeral is not just a ceremony to commemorate Mladic’s life; it’s also an opportunity for Serbia to confront its own role in the Bosnian war. Many of those gathered on footbridges over the motorway were young men, some of whom may have been born after the conflict ended, suggesting that the country’s collective guilt is being passed down from generation to generation.

What’s at Stake

The world is watching as Serbia chooses to celebrate or condemn Mladic’s legacy. The funeral will be a test of the country’s commitment to justice, accountability, and reconciliation. Will it use this opportunity to confront its own demons, or will it continue to lionize warlords and perpetrators? The answer will have far-reaching implications for regional stability, international relations, and the prospects for peace in Bosnia.

A Funeral Without Reconciliation

As the funeral proceedings unfold, one thing is clear: Mladic’s legacy will not be defined by his victims or their families. It will be shaped by Serbia’s leaders, who are determined to present him as a national hero rather than a war criminal. This raises important questions about the role of politics in shaping our collective memory and the ways in which we choose to remember – or forget – our past.

The funeral may be over soon, but its consequences will linger for years to come. As Serbia chooses to celebrate or condemn Mladic’s legacy, it’s essential that the world pays attention to what this means for the country’s future, its people, and the prospects for peace in the region. It’s time for Serbia to confront its own demons – and work towards a more inclusive, just, and reconciled society.