Cambodian Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy Calls for Foreign Action in Upcoming July Election

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy is imploring the United States and European powers to take action against incumbent leader Hun Sen to warn him against any election rigging in the approaching July polls in Cambodia. Rainsy, inspired by the positive influence of pressure from foreign powers in the implementation of reforms in Myanmar is asking for aid from the most powerful countries in the world in an effort to assure fair and honest elections in his native country this year.

Opposition leader in exile

Rainsy, who has been living in exile in France since 2009, is in Washington for a visit when he made this statement. He is calling out to the United States and Europe to put sanctions in place should the July 28 elections turn out to be unfair. Furthermore, he asks these countries to delegitimize Hun Sen if the election results are proven to be fake.

Hun Sen has been the strongman of Cambodia since 1985. Rainsy is not allowed to run for public office due to a number of convictions filed against him. His party maintains that these accusations are purely driven by political motivations. The United States has already expressed criticism of Rainsy’s exclusion from the July polls.

Don’t let him get away with a fake election

In an interview on Thursday, Rainsy insisted that Hun Sen must be given a warning that rigged elections will not be tolerated and that it won’t be “business as usual” after it has been determined that the forthcoming July election results are rigged. The exiled leader of the opposition clarifies that he is not privy to sanctions that would negatively affect ordinary Cambodian citizens. Rather, he is hoping for sanctions that would target only government officials under Hun Sen such as the imposition of a visa ban.

According to Rainsy, Hun Sen “craves legitimacy.” The strongman is also fond of traveling with family members and cronies, he added. A ban would definitely make Hun Sen think twice—at least that is what Rainsy believes.

Cambodia is the “new pariah of Southeast Asia”

Now that Myanmar (Burma) is pushing for reforms and sanctions from the West are being lifted, Cambodia seems to be steering towards the opposite direction. In Rainsy’s opinion, these sanctions must now be applied to Cambodia if election and democratic reforms are still not implemented. He believes that Cambodia would respond more readily to international pressure than Myanmar since it is heavily reliant on foreign assistance at the moment. Sam Rainsy has also visited Myanmar recently for a meeting with opposition leader and Burmese peace icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

The strongman of Cambodia

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is now 60 years old, has recently declared that he would step down from power when he turns seventy-four years. This statement is a development from previous declaration that he would surrender his seat when he turns 90. The Prime Minister has warned of an impending return to war if the opposition wins. He argues that war would stem from the opposition’s vow to prosecute government officials in his regime for their alleged roles in the notorious Khmer Rouge.

Photo Credit: Cambodia Election