US reduces aid to Cambodia citing 'setbacks to democracy'

Daphne Chen and Erin Handley | Publication date 27 February 2018 | 22:22 ICT

p

White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks at the press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 22. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP

The White House announced late today that it is cutting aid to several assistance programs in Cambodia as a result of "recent setbacks to democracy".

The US felt "compelled" to reevaluate its assistance programs "to ensure that American taxpayer funds are not being used to support anti-democratic behavior", according to the statement from White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, which cites this week's Senate elections – which the ruling Cambodian People's Party swept in a landslide – as an example.

Cambodia has been the focus of sustained international outcry since its only viable opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was forcibly dissolved at the government's behest in November. It's leader, Kem Sokha, was arrested over widely decried accusations of "treason" two months prior, and many of the party's officials have fled the country fearing arrest.

The US will end or curtail several assistance programs supporting the Cambodian taxation department, local government authorities and the Cambodian military, "each of which has been linked to these setbacks", the statement reads. Projects "in support of the Cambodian people" in health, agriculture, mine clearance and civil society promotion, will not be affected.

Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn hung up on a reporter tonight and did not answer subsequent calls.

The move was welcomed by self-exiled former CNRP Deputy President Mu Sochua.

"[Restoring] democracy needs stringent and timely actions," Sochua, who has repeatedly called on the international community to impose sanctions on Cambodia, said in a message tonight. "We are encouraged to see the international community making joint efforts to give the Government a chance to get back on the track of genuine democracy."

It is not yet clear which programs or how much funding will be cut. US Embassy spokesman Arend Zwartjes said he did not have further details and declined to comment about what the move means for US-Cambodian relations.