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Prime Minister Hun Sen during a meeting at the National Assembly in Phnom Penh. Photo: AFP

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen denies nepotism after promoting sons to high-level government positions

  • Strongman leader has long shrugged off accusations that he favours relatives, despite his administration being full of officials with links to his family
Cambodia

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen lashed out at critics on Thursday for questioning high-level appointments bestowed on his children, denying that the promotions were part of a strategy to “strengthen power”.

The 66-year-old leader has ruled Cambodia for 33 years and his administration is full of officials with links to his family. His three sons are in key posts across the country’s defence and intelligence establishments.

Cambodian PM Hun Sen’s eldest son promoted to commander of armed forces

Hun Sen has long shrugged off accusations of nepotism but in a speech to students in Phnom Penh, he framed the promotions as a natural by-product of education and training.

“I read a media briefing sent to me this morning about Hun Sen promoting (his) children,” he said.

“I want to ask everyone: Are my children human beings? Are they citizens?”

He said they had advanced degrees and had studied abroad.

“They say it is to strengthen power. We sent them for training. What should we train them for?”

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Analysts say Hun Sen has stayed in power for decades through a mix of political savvy and loyal networks in the security forces, and that he is grooming his sons as possible successors.

Hun Manet, his eldest son, was promoted in early September to chief of joint staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces as well as the commander of the infantry army headquarters.

He graduated from the US military academy at West Point and the government said his new responsibilities were merit-based.

Hun Sen’s second son Hun Manit is the head of a military intelligence unit, and his youngest Hun Many is a parliamentarian who oversees the ruling party’s far-reaching youth movement.

Protesters chant slogans against Hun Sen during a summit in Belgium last month. Photo: Reuters

In July, Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party won all seats in parliament after holding an election without an opposition.

The Supreme Court dissolved the only viable party challenging CPP rule in November 2017 amid a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent.

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