Mr. Kem Sokha officially announced that he had no connection with CNRP co-founder Sam Rainsy anymore

Tep Neayok

Former CNRP leader Kem Sokha on June 15, 2022 officially announced that he has cut off ties with his co-founder of the court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Mr. Sam Rainsy, and said that his partnership with Sam Rainsy had come to an end. 

Kem Sokha’s decision was announced just a day after Mr. Sam Rainsy, who is living in exile in Paris, was sentenced in absentia on June 14 to another eight-years in prison along with many other former CNRP senior officials [at least 50 people] by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on charges of plotting and incitement to overthrow the government committed between 2018 and 2019. 

Kem Sokha said said he did not support Mr. Sam Rainsy’s activities abroad and asked his followers not to do so, saying his partnership with Sam Rainsy had come to an end. 

“I have stopped having any dealings with Sam Rainsy. It is clear that the phrase ‘Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha are one person (steadfast)’ no longer applies,” Kem Sokha said during his hearing on June 15.

“Sam Rainsy walked on his own way with Candlelight Party (CP) to participate in the Commune Election,” Kem Sokha said. 

“Recently, Mr. Sam Rainsy attacked me because I did not go to vote for CP, claiming it was a big mistake,” he said. 

“Mr. Sam Rainsy announced a return to the country on November 9, (2019) and gather the forces to attempt to arrest Prime Minister (Mr Hun Sen), and I never supported such an activity. Instead, I also forbade my followers to support this,” he added. 

Kem Sokha said that Mr Sam Rainsy has vowed to return to the Kingdom to restore democracy and human rights, but his planned return failed to materialise.  But the government accused him and his allies of planning a coup. 

Kem Sokha also urged the court to lift his ban from participating in political activities. 

“I have no political rights to speak in public, I have been patient for too long and if the judge lifts my political ban, I will hold a press conference to announce my new position,” Kem Sokha said. 

Kem Sokha slammed Mr Sam Rainsy for accusing him of being under duress from Mr Hun Sen.  He also warned Mr Sam Rainsy and his group to stop using his (Kem Sokha) name and photo in connection with their political activities. 

Kem Sokha  said that Mr Sam Rainsy and his colleagues have walked away from the original principles and spirit of unity by creating various new political movements and are also supporting CP from behind. 

In 2012, the Sam Rainy Party (SRP) (which became the CP in 2017) and Sokha’s Human Rights Party (HRP) merged to become the CNRP and won 55 out of 123 seats in the 2013 National Election.  

The CNRP then gained 43.83% of the popular vote in the 2017 Commune Election, wining 5,007 commune council seats and 489 commune chief positions before the party was dissolved by the Supreme Court months later after Sokha was charged with “conspiracy with foreign power” and faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. 

The HRP remains inactive but the CP participated in June 5 Commune Election, gaining 1.6 million popular votes.

But Kem Sokha refused to go to vote and his former cabinet chief Muth Chantha claimed that this was: “because there is no choice for him to choose.” 

Kem Sokha’s decision not to go and vote for CP received criticism from the party’s leadership as well as Mr. Sam Rainsy. 

Soka, 67, is facing trial for “Conspiracy with Foreign Power” under Article 443 of the Criminal Code. If convicted, he could be jailed between 15 and 30 years. END