The opening arguments in the trial of the former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was adjourned. He has chosen to boycott his war crimes trial, claiming that he did not have enough time to prepare his defense. This man who has caused so much suffering by masterminding Serb atrocities and ethnic cleansing campaigns against Croats and Muslims between 1992 and 1995 is in reality trying to kill as much time possible.

Karadzic is a psychiatrist by training who decided to represent himself during the trial. Honestly, I don’t recall any war crime prisoner who successfully represented himself and was acquitted. Choosing to represent himself against these serious allegations is a pure circus.

After 13 years on the run, it is time for him to face justice. Being on trial and being his own lawyer will certainly not save him. As the Mbochi of Congo say, “No man can paddle two canoes at the same time.”