In a significant political development, Cambodia’s long-serving Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has announced his resignation from the post. In a special statement broadcasted on the National Television of Cambodia (TVK) Wednesdays afternoon, Caretaker Prime Minister Hun Sen officially announced that he will not continue to hold the position of Prime Minister of Cambodia. Instead, his eldest son, Hun Manet, will take over the role, beginning on August 22, 2023.
“Hun Manet will begin his post as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia from the evening of Aug. 22, 2023, onward,” declared Prime Minister Hun Sen.
This succession plan comes after Hun Manet emerged victorious in the recent parliamentary elections held on Sunday. The Prime Minister stated that the King will order the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Hun Manet on August 7. The PM added that he will end his position as Prime Minister on August 22, 2023.
Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party secured a landslide victory in the weekend elections, winning 120 out of 125 seats. However, the election faced criticism from Western countries and rights organizations, who labeled it as ‘neither free nor fair.’ These critics argued that the election suppressed the country’s main opposition, and the victory of the Cambodian People’s Party was surrounded by controversy.
The 45-year-old Hun Manet, who currently heads the country’s army, will be nominated as the next Prime Minister once the National Election Commission officially reports the final election results. As the new generation takes over key ministerial posts, it is expected that Hun Sen will retain an influential role in the government and also assume the position of President of the country’s Senate.
Hun Sen’s political journey began as a mid-ranking commander in the Khmer Rouge, a radical communist movement responsible for genocide during the 1970s. After leaving the Khmer Rouge and joining Vietnam, he became a senior member of the new Cambodian government installed by Hanoi when they ousted the Khmer Rouge from power in 1979. Since then, he has maintained a firm grip on power, steering the country with an iron fist.
Hun Manet, the designated successor, boasts an impressive educational background, holding a degree from the US Military Academy West Point, a master’s degree from New York University, and a doctorate from the University of Bristol in the UK. However, despite his Western education, observers do not anticipate immediate policy changes, as Cambodia has gradually moved closer to China in recent years under his father’s leadership.
The upcoming transition of power in Cambodia has drawn attention from the international community, with the European Union expressing concerns over the restricted political and civil space during the elections. The US has warned of possible sanctions, including visa restrictions on individuals undermining democracy and freezing foreign aid programs.
The resignation of Hun Sen marks the end of an era in Cambodian politics, while the ascension of Hun Manet ushers in a new chapter that will be closely monitored both domestically and abroad.
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