The National Assembly has approved Prime Minister Hun Manet’s shake-up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, reinstating Prak Sokhonn as foreign minister, who served under Manet’s father, longtime leader Hun Sen. Out is Sok Chenda Sophea, the incumbent minister of just 15 months.
A unanimous vote approved the reshuffle with 112 of the 125 lawmakers from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in favor on the morning of November 20.
Newly ousted minister Sophea took the top diplomatic post in August 2023, when new cabinet ministers were formed under Prime Minister Hun Manet. Over the past year, there have been several ministerial reshuffles prompted by struggling industries or governance challenges.
Before becoming foreign minister, Sophea was secretary-general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia. Prior to that, he served as undersecretary at the Tourism Ministry in the 1990s after returning from France, where he studied economics and worked.
Sophea is expected to now take on the role of deputy prime minister.
Sokhonn served as foreign minister from 2016 to 2023 before being elected vice president of the Senate in April 2024, serving in support of Senate President Hun Sen. Hun Sen took the position after handing the premiership to his son in 2023.
Sokhonn is expected to step down as Senate vice president after reclaiming the reins of the Foreign Ministry.
Asia-Pacific geopolitical analyst Seng Vanly told CamboJA News the ministerial shake-up could stem from several factors.
Sophea’s influence on decision-making for foreign policy – or the ability to get things done – remains weaker compared to his predecessor, Prak Sokhonn. Cambodia’s shift towards diversifying economic ties and advancing economic diplomacy has exposed Sophea’s limited effectiveness and his hamstrung position within the political hierarchy, according to Vanly.
The government’s push for stronger economic diplomacy was seen as a key factor in Sophea’s appointment, given his expertise in trade, investment, and development.
“Sophea’s diplomatic reach is still limited. Combine this with his position in the Cambodian People’s Party, which offers little decision-making authority, it has made it challenging for him to effectively serve as foreign minister,” Vanly said, adding that Sophea has not introduced significant policy changes.
Vanly said when Sophea took office, he pledged to implement reforms within the ministry. But those reforms have stalled, hindered by the foreign ministry’s long-standing CPP leadership and Sophea’s struggle to find diplomatic advisors.
Vanly also highlighted the obstacles facing the foreign minister due to Cambodia’s reputation, including controversies such as cyber scam rings in industrial sectors that have deterred investors. These issues, coupled with allegations of human trafficking and illicit dealings involving high-ranking officials, have complicated efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen diplomatic ties.
“Even if Prak Sokhonn returns with his extensive experience, Cambodia still faces significant challenges,” Vanly concluded. He pointed out ongoing international criticism related to human rights and democratic backsliding, as well as the government’s struggles to address scandals that undermine its credibility on the global stage.
Ro Vannak, another foreign policy expert and co-founder of the Cambodia Institute for Democracy, shared similar views on the foreign minister’s ability to have “influence” within the ruling party.
Vannak explained that the change was driven by Sokhonn’s stronger political influence and closer ties within the ruling party, which sets him apart from Sophea. He also highlighted Sokhonn’s greater experience, particularly in managing operations and fostering loyalty, which has earned him popularity within the ministry and with the prime minister.
Sokhonn’s ability to build a network of loyal supporters gives him an advantage over Sophea, who has yet to implement internal reforms, he said.
Vannak also believes Sokhonn’s appointment was partly influenced by the recent U.S. presidential election, which saw Donald Trump’s return – a diplomatic wildcard for Cambodia, analysts said.
Government spokesperson Pen Bona declined to comment on the changes to the foreign minister position, saying only, “I don’t have a comment on this matter.” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Chum Sounry could not be reached, and CPP spokesperson Sok Eysan was also unavailable for comment.
