One of the longest serving Prime Minister of Cambodia-Hun Sen, expressed his wish to step down from the post, as his son Hun Manet gears up to take charge in the coming weeks. The announcement followed three days after the uncontested victory of his party- The Cambodian People's Party-against virtually no opposition, since the only credible opposition was deemed disqualified from the vote.
Hun, in his address said that his elder son- Gen. Hun Manet, the Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, up until now, is set to succeed him -and ascertained that the move would not violate any rules of the National Assembly, as his son is also a lawmaker. He added that although he will be stepping down from the post of the Prime Minister, he will continue as the head of the ruling party and a member of the National Assembly.
Hun Manet, 45, was seen actively campaigning for the 23rd July election alongside his father -who ruled over the Southeast Asian nation for over 38 years, since 1985. The 70 year old leader, has relentlessly squashed his opponents by resorting to the courts to dissolve the CNRP- another popular opposition party, and jail or exile its leaders. Kem Sokha, an eminent opposition leader was sentenced to 27 years of house arrest and stripped of his rights to contest or vote in elections. Sam Rainsy, another high profile opposition leader, lives in exile in France. He was also known to employ media as a means to reinforce power and curb dissent- shutting down most independent media, rights groups and NGOs in the country.
Hun Manet, is speculated to have a less repressive regime and be more receptive to human rights activism, considering his years spent at the US military academy West Point and the University Of Bristol.
