Cambodia’s Senate President and Acting Head of State Hun Sen has issued a sharp warning to opposition forces, accusing them of attempting to fracture the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and cautioning that such efforts will ultimately backfire.
“The more you try to divide, the more you divide yourselves,” said Hun Sen during a public address at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Friday.
The remarks come amid questions over the recent promotion of two prominent figures—former Defence Minister Tea Banh and Minister of National Assembly and Senate Relations Men Sam An—to the prestigious rank of five-star general in Cambodia’s armed forces. Notably, former Interior Minister Sar Kheng, another senior CPP figure, was not included in the promotion.
Tea Banh and Men Sam An were elevated last week by King Norodom Sihamoni in recognition of their contributions to Cambodia’s Win-Win Policy, which played a key role in ending decades of internal conflict, and their efforts to uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
All three are currently members of the Supreme Privy Council of the King, a body equivalent in rank to Deputy Prime Minister. Tea Banh and Men Sam An were appointed to the council in August 2023.
Hun Sen, who remains president of the CPP, dismissed the speculation surrounding Sar Kheng’s absence from the promotion list, emphasizing that he is a civilian with no military title.
“Samdech Sar Kheng is a civilian; he does not hold a military rank,” Hun Sen said.
He warned that questioning such internal matters is a deliberate attempt to undermine party unity and stir unnecessary political tension.
“Please do not try to divide the CPP from within. The more you try, the more you end up dividing yourselves,” he added.
Hun Sen, who served as Prime Minister for nearly four decades before stepping down in 2023, also reflected on past opposition tactics aimed at weakening the CPP, stating they had only resulted in fragmentation within opposition ranks.
He further stated that during 1997–1998, Sar Kheng had only requested the rank of colonel, reinforcing his identity as a civilian leader.
Hun Sen endorsed the King’s decision to grant five-star general status to Banh and Sam An, calling it a rightful recognition of their national service and contributions to restoring the Cambodian monarchy.
As of 2025, five individuals in Cambodia have been promoted to five-star general: the late Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, Hun Sen, Tea Banh, and Men Sam An.
Political analysts say that efforts to create rifts within the ruling party are a common tactic of opposition groups, who lack the political influence to challenge the CPP through conventional means.
“It is a typical strategy for opposition groups to try to exploit perceived rivalries within the CPP, especially between Hun Sen and Sar Kheng,” said Yang Peou, Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia.
He warned that a successful attempt to divide the CPP could destabilize the country and potentially lead to renewed political unrest.
“If opposition groups manage to divide the CPP, it could result in serious national losses, even the risk of civil conflict,” he said.
