Hun Sen Will Hand Power To Hun Manet

 

Hun Sen is one of the longest serving heads of state in the world. The longtime Cambodian prime minister made the announcement he will resign. Hun Sen's son Hun Manet will be his successor . This was a surprise considering that the Cambodian People's Party has remained dominant. The election victory has been questioned as many cite the political opposition was unable to operate. A 38 year reign of Hun Sen continued enabled by an autocratic state apparatus. The National Rescue Party was in no position to challenge the rule of the Hun family. Prime Minister Hun Sen will not retire from public life. He will maintain involvement in the government. The National Election Committee has the ability to prevent certain political parties from running. Hun Manet has an advantage coming into office. He is chief of Cambodia's army. This means the military has loyalty to him and can be used to suppress revolts. Cambodia's political system resembles that of Thailand and North Korea. The military has large amounts of influence in Thailand. North Korea has a dynastic system of succession under a one party state. Countries like Syria, Togo, and Chad share this trait even though they are not monarchies. Hun Sen's term is five years, but he did not specify a date for the transfer of power. No specific reason was made public for making the change. Laos and Vietnam are going to have more interest in what happens in Cambodia. Myanmar might find an ally in a Hun Manet regime.   

President Pierre Nkurunziza Has Died

Burundi has announced that President Pierre Nkurunzia has died. The cause of death was a heart attack. He was only 55 years old. There has been a level of skepticism about the official cause of death. Some wonder if it was COVID-19 related complications. There exists no concrete evidence of what really happened in Karuzi Hospital or what President Nkurunzia's health condition was . Too many are quick to say there was an assassination or conspiracy. Since the announcement a seven day period of national mourning has been declared. Burundi will go through a major political change. President Pierre Nkurunzia had been leading the country since 2005. The civil war had devastated most of the country and ever since instability has been a part of Burundi's politics. When President Nkurunzia announced he was running for a third term, this sparked protests in 2015. Pierre Nkurunzia  was accused of repression and human rights violations during his presidency. Supporters cite his leadership brought peace after the Burundian Civil War (1993-2005). Others criticized his repressive actions directed at the political opposition. Elections will be held in August, this time in a post- Nkurunzia political atmosphere.