Prime Minister Hun Sen wants to lead Cambodia for another 10 years

Prime Minister Hun Sen's government has threatened to ban the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) from participating in elections if it does not find another leader to replace Kem Sokha.

Prime Minister Hun Sen at a press conference. Photo: AFP

According to Reuters news agency, the latest statement from the Cambodian government further strengthens the possibility that the CNRP party will be eliminated before the election taking place next year.

The CNRP party has previously announced that it will not replace President Kem Sokha with someone else.

"They must appoint another acting president. If they do not follow the law, they will not exist and have no right to conduct politics... The choice is theirs, not mine," Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan told Reuters news agency.

Kem Sokha's daughter, Kem Monovithya, a CNRP member, confirmed that the party will not appoint a new leader.

"The ruling party can do whatever it wants with its divide and rule plan," Ms. Monovithya commented.

Opposition officials accuse Prime Minister Hun Sen of wanting to weaken and shut down the CNRP before the election, citing the party's success in local elections last June, especially in the capital Phnom Penh.

More arrests

On September 6, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the possibility of more arrests following the "treasonous act" (of Mr. Sokha), and this incident reinforced the "demand" that he continue to hold power.

"I have decided to continue my work - for no less than 10 more years," Prime Minister Hun Sen said while visiting a garment factory.

Kem Sokha replaced Sam Rainsy as leader of the CNRP in February after Cambodia passed a new law banning political parties if their leaders were found guilty. Rainsy is in exile to avoid a sentence he calls "politically motivated".

Cambodian law stipulates that a political party has 90 days to replace its president if he or she dies, resigns or is convicted.

Prime Minister Hun Sen during his visit to give money to poor people in the suburbs of Phnom Penh on August 30. Photo: AFP

Western countries, including the United States, have condemned the arrest of Kem Sokha and activists critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Meanwhile, China - a close ally of Mr. Hun Sen, voiced support for Phnom Penh.

"We are not interested in outsiders. We are only interested in national security. We do not belong to anyone," spokesman Phay Siphan stressed.

Kem Sokha was formally charged with “treason and espionage” on September 5 after a 2013 video emerged in which he told supporters he had received support and advice from Americans for his election campaign.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on September 3, a few hours after Mr. Kem Sokha was arrested, said bluntly that the incident was controlled by "the hand of America".

The date of Mr. Kem's trial will be determined by the court, but under Cambodian law, the maximum sentence for the above crime can be up to 30 years in prison.

On September 4, the neutral English-language newspaper Cambodia Daily was also forced to close by the Phnom Penh government due to unpaid taxes of up to 6.3 million USD.

Western media reported that a number of media outlets and websites with reporting styles inconsistent with the government's were also closed.

According to TTO