Hun Sen delivers powerful message on peace, foreign interference

by Taing Rinith
May 7, 2025

Hun Sen, President of the Senate, speaks at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) School of Government in Jakarta, Indonesia. KT photo

In a powerful and personal lecture delivered yesterday at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) School of Government in Jakarta, Senate President Hun Sen reflected on Cambodia’s hard-fought journey to peace and development while sharply criticising the continued interference of developed nations in the affairs of developing countries.

Mr Hun Sen began his leadership lecture by recalling his historic achievement in ending the decade-long civil war in Cambodia through the Win-Win policy, which he had initiated.

“The Win-Win policy brought full peace and territorial unity to Cambodia in 1998 with no more bloodshed between Cambodian nationals,” he said. “It led to a long peace which Cambodia had not experienced in the last 500 years, following the fall of the Angkorian Empire.”

According to the Senate President, the Kingdom’s journey from Year Zero, resulting from the disastrous Khmer Rouge regime, to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies today was full of challenges and struggles.

“After the 1979 liberation, on one hand, efforts were made to prevent the return of the Khmer Rouge regime, while on the other hand, there was a need to find food and rebuild national institutions and the economy, despite having extremely limited human resources and facing a highly difficult situation under international sanctions,” Mr Hun Sen explained.

He stressed that the early years of Cambodia’s recovery from the genocidal regime were characterised by “unjust treatment” from countries and international communities that imposed sanctions on the young government.

“At that time, international communities refused to recognise the Cambodian government, which had just liberated the country, whereas the Khmer Rouge would continue to occupy Cambodia’s seat at the United Nations for another 12 years,” he said.

During the lecture, Mr Hun Sen also strongly rebuked developed nations for what he described as repeated interference in the internal affairs of developing countries, including Cambodia.

The former prime minister criticised what he views as exploitation of poorer nations by wealthier ones, particularly during times of crisis.

“Many developed countries take advantage of developing countries that are facing various problems, including poverty,” he said, calling on the international community to take a more respectful and supportive approach. “We do not want to see interference in our internal affairs.”

Mr Hun Sen argued that wealthier nations often exploit the institutional weaknesses and limited resources of poorer countries to serve their interests. He warned that such interference can undermine national stability and provoke unrest.

“Developed countries often try to provoke anger among citizens by supporting extremist ideologies that aim to overthrow the government through undemocratic means,” he added.

Calling for a more constructive and respectful international relationship, Mr Hun Sen said, “We ask for constructive support, not attempts to belittle, obstruct or hinder the path of development we have chosen.”

He noted that history has repeatedly shown that foreign interference, particularly military intervention, has led to disastrous consequences. “The worst form of intervention is military intervention to force a change in political regime or other system of government,” he stated.

Drawing attention to more recent global events, Mr Hun Sen cited Afghanistan and Bangladesh as examples of how external meddling can deepen political and humanitarian crises.

He emphasised that each country, regardless of size or wealth, is shaped by its unique history, culture, and political system and should be treated with equal dignity on the global stage.