In Sarajevo, the capital city, the Office of the High Representative stands as a testament to the ongoing international oversight in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On a sunny Tuesday, April 2, 2024, passers-by walked along its façade, a stark reminder of the fragile peace that requires constant vigilance. The scars of conflict are still visible on buildings along "Marshal Tito" road, their walls pockmarked with bullet holes, serving as silent witnesses to the city's violent past.

Travelling to Vlasenica in Republika Srpska, a banner commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Assault Detachment Vlasenica hangs solemnly. This unit, infamous for its role in the Susica detention camp atrocities, symbolizes the deep and painful memories of the Bosnian War. Here, over 8,000 individuals were detained, and at least 1,617 were killed between May and September 1992. The memorials in this town, photographed on Thursday, April 4, 2024, stand as dignified monuments, offering a narrative of respect and memory.

A panoramic view of a mosque in Potocari, near the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial, highlights the region's religious and cultural diversity. The genocide memorial itself is a powerful symbol of the darkest chapter in Bosnia's recent history. Over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were systematically murdered by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995, an event that remains etched in the collective memory. Each gravestone at the memorial tells a story of lost lives and shattered families, underscoring the immense human cost of ethnic hatred and the failure of international intervention.

In the villages surrounding Sarajevo, the colourful roofs of houses in Hrid and Sirokaca gleam in the sunset light, captured from the Kovači Cemetery. This serene image contrasts sharply with the tragic past, yet it also reflects the enduring beauty and resilience of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial, a Bosnian flag at half-mast waves over the graves, symbolising the profound loss and the enduring hope for justice and reconciliation. Foreign visitors pay tribute, honouring the memory of those who perished. These gravestones not only represent individual lives lost but also a collective call for remembrance and peace.

As Bosnia and Herzegovina continues its journey towards healing and rebuilding, these images serve as a powerful reminder of the country's complex history and the enduring spirit of its people. Through the lens of a photojournalist, the shadows of the past intertwine with the hopes for a future where such atrocities are never repeated.

Vudi Xhymshiti, photojournalist.