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Cambodia 2022-2023: securing dynastic autocracy

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posted on 2024-10-30, 09:38 authored by Caroline BennettCaroline Bennett
2023 was an historic year for Cambodia. Following elections widely deemed not to be fair and free, Prime Minister Hun Sen handed over power to his son Hun Manet. In doing so, he ended his 38-year premiership, and secured the transformation of Cambodia into a dynastic autocracy. The transformation was enabled by a variety of factors. The country started to recover from the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with tourism and exports starting to grow again, enabling the ruling party to reaffirm their position by securing the economy. Domestically, human rights continued to be rolled back, particularly for the political opposition, with a series of mass trials, threats of violence, and the creation of new legislation further narrowing control of the nation to the ruling party. Regionally, Cambodia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, which ended in 2022, and hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in 2023, secured the country’s place as an important political actor. While Hun Sen continued to switch allegiance between China and the US, the initial months of Hun Manet’s rule have seen him secure relationships with both, as well as Vietnam. As we move on in 2024, what Hun Manet’s rule will mean for Cambodia remains uncertain, but it looks likely that he will follow in the pattern already set, solidifying the dynastic autocracy of the CPP through trade, investments (social and economic) and legislation.

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Publication status

  • Published

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  • Published version

Journal

Asia Maior

ISSN

2385-2526

Publisher

Viella s.r.l. & Associazione Asia Maior

Volume

34

Page range

217-234

Department affiliated with

  • Anthropology Publications

Institution

University of Sussex

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  • Yes

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  • Yes

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