Hun Sen Struggles For Power Political, International Pressure Intensifies As Election Looms

Six months after leading a coup in which he ousted his coalition partner, Cambodia’s leader Hun Sen is still struggling to consolidate political and military control in a country that is less stable than ever.

He also has failed to win the international legitimacy he sought as criticism continues from abroad about his government’s human rights abuses and repression.

With an election expected later this year, these are some of the ways the political, military and international pressures on Hun Sen have begun to intensify:

Opposition politicians who fled the country after the July 6 coup have begun to return and reorganize. Norodom Ranariddh, the coalition partner who was driven from power by Hun Sen, says he plans to return this month despite Hun Sen’s threat to put him on trial.

Fighting has flared again near a remote northern stronghold controlled by soldiers who support the opposition. Despite the rebels’ small numbers, Hun Sen’s troops have made little headway against them.

Two human rights officials from the United Nations are due to visit Phnom Penh this month and are expected to voice concern about continuing abuses that could threaten the legitimacy of the election.

The election, which had been scheduled for May, already has been postponed until this summer or fall because of political instability that has made it impossible to organize the voting process on time.