The peacemaker: TV anchor seeks to end feud between PM Hun Sen and exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy

Cambodian TV news anchor Soy Sopheap has again stepped into the role of political peacemaker in an effort to end the feud between Prime Minister Hun Sen and exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy which threatens to ignite political conflict.

Hun Sen has warned Cambodia could descend into civil war if Sam Rainsy’s party wins an election in 2018, while Rainsy has called for vigilance to prevent self-styled strongman Hun Sen using the deteriorating political climate to postpone elections.

Soy Sopheap entered Cambodia’s turbulent political arena in 2013 to act as peacemaker between the two rivals which allowed Sam Rainsy to return from four years in exile in France. The deal included a royal pardon for a prison sentence Rainsy received in absentia.

“In politics, there must be talks for resolution so that no one will lose face,” Sopheap said in an interview announcing he would again seek to be Cambodia's political peacemaker.

The wealthy 44-year Soy Sopheap is an anchor at Boyon TV, which is run by Hun Sen’s daughter Hun Mana. He publishes the newspaper Deum Ampil, and is viewed as a messenger for Hun Sen.

He also has the ear of the exiled Sam Rainsy.