“Thailand should be held responsible and accountability should be attached to reparations”.
A ceasefire is welcome, and a permanent peace agreement is further welcomed but these milestones are likely insufficient from the perspective of Cambodia and the international community.
This conflict never started, nor was it perpetuated, by Cambodia. While ending the conflict is the immediate goal, it is not the ultimate goal.
There seems to be a growing belief that a ceasefire and peace will not amend, let alone ameliorate, the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that has occurred on both sides of the border. It would be improper to overlook the fact that there is substantial evidence that this conflict was precipitated by certain Thai parties’ (and mostly the military’s) nationalist agendas.
I doubt this proposed ceasefire will last long, but if it does, I think it is a step forward and commend those officials who assume responsibility for taking actions that are representative of a mature state. I doubt even further that any temporary ceasefire would lead to a permanent peace agreement. Thailand cannot be at peace with Cambodia until it is at least at peace with itself, and this will not occur until after its 2026 elections. Even if there is a permanent peace agreement, I do not think this is sufficient.
Thailand needs to be held accountable for its actions with reparations to the Cambodian people that have been affected by this crisis and there should be an independent, civil society-driven truth commission established for this endeavour. Of course, if Cambodia has failed to fully comply with international standards, these matters should also be subject to the commission’s scrutiny.
This is not a condition for peace; rather, it is a condition to prevent current and future war. Peace as much as war requires extraordinary leadership, and peace between the nations will require accountability for this conflict, which is not subject to the pettiness of nationalism.
Youk Chhang is director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam). The views and opinions expressed are his own.
