The Canadian lobbying firm Dickens & Madson, hired by the Government of Republika Srpska (RS), stated in reports submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice that officials from Saudi Arabia and Israel had expressed interest in RS independence from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo-based media outlets report.

The firm, headed by Ari Ben-Menashe, described its activities representing Republika Srpska in two semiannual reports submitted under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), covering the periods through December 31, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

The reports state that the firm represented RS with the aim of securing independence from Bosnia and Herzegovina and advised its representatives, including on contacts with various branches of government in Israel, Saudi Arabia and other countries, in an effort to secure political support and strengthen the political position of the entity, FoNet reports.

“In the context of representing Republika Srpska and its goal of achieving independence from Bosnia and Herzegovina, D&M held several meetings with the Office of the Saudi Crown Prince and the Office of the President of Israel,” the report states.

According to the firm, both countries maintain close relations with RS and Bosnia and Herzegovina and are interested in RS independence. The report adds that Saudi and Israeli authorities should also discuss the issue with U.S. officials, but does not state whether such discussions have taken place.

The RS Government signed a contract with Dickens & Madson on September 6, 2025, and the reports show that $4 million has been paid so far. The next report is expected to cover the following six-month lobbying period, FoNet reports.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has also responded to this contract and other RS lobbying activities in the United States. At its 174th plenary session, the court banned payments from the RS budget under the contract with D&M.

The ban also covers other lobbying activities conducted on behalf of and for RS through lobbying agencies if they pursue objectives that, according to the court’s ruling, conflict with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and decisions issued by the Constitutional Court and the country’s institutions. The RS National Assembly, the RS Government and responsible officials, including those working in representative offices abroad, were ordered to suspend activities connected with these payments, FoNet reports.

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Dickens & Madson is headed by its founder, Ari Ben-Menashe, an Israeli-Canadian businessman who claims to be a former Israeli military intelligence officer. The company is based in Montreal.

In 2019, Ben-Menashe lobbied for Sudan’s Transitional Military Council, and in 2021, for the military junta in Myanmar. Some of the money used to lobby on behalf of former Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov came from Russia.

In 2002, Ben-Menashe was questioned in Zimbabwe over allegations that he had planned the “elimination” of then-President Robert Mugabe. The allegations were based on recordings of his meetings with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was ultimately acquitted of the charges, FoNet reports.

Other clients listed in the firm’s current reports include Sudan’s State Council, the Republic of Vanuatu, Kyrgyzstan, DP World and politicians from African countries.

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