Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Saturday (27) an “immediate” ceasefire in the border conflict between the two countries, which has left at least 47 dead and nearly a million displaced in three weeks. Both parties welcomed this announcement but remained cautious.
A joint statement said the ceasefire would come into effect at noon (2 a.m. in Brasilia) and said “both sides agree to allow civilians residing in the affected border areas to return home as quickly as possible, without obstruction and in complete safety and dignity.”
Signed by the defense ministers of the two countries, the declaration also mentions the freezing of military positions, the demining of border areas, police cooperation in the fight against cybercrime and the release, by Bangkok, of 18 Cambodian soldiers after a 72-hour ceasefire.
“This ceasefire is a step towards a peaceful solution,” commented Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit, affirming that he shared the “anger”, “pain” and “concerns” of his people.
Moved
Forced to sleep in tents or crowded emergency shelters since fighting resumed on December 7, hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict on both sides of the disputed border will be able to celebrate the new year at home.
“If they stop the fighting now, I will be very happy because people will be able to return home,” Oeum Raksmey, a 22-year-old displaced Cambodian, told AFP. “But I still don’t dare to go home. I’m still afraid. I don’t trust Thai people.”
According to the latest official figures, perhaps underestimated, a total of 47 people have been killed in recent weeks: 26 on the Thai side and 21 on the Cambodian side.
The two Southeast Asian kingdoms have long fought over their 500-mile border, established during French colonial times, and accuse each other of sparking this latest deadly escalation.
Trump’s intervention
The fighting in July had already left 43 dead in five days, before a truce was found, thanks in particular to the intervention of Donald Trump. A ceasefire agreement was then signed on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of the President of the United States, but was suspended a few weeks later by Thailand after several of its soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion on the border.
Donald Trump, who is aiming for the Nobel Peace Prize, has once again tried to play the role of mediator. He announced a truce on December 12 after speaking by telephone with leaders on both sides of the conflict, but the Thai government did not agree and hostilities continued.
Also under pressure from China to end the conflict, Thailand and Cambodia finally agreed to start direct negotiations after an emergency meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers on Monday (22).
However, the issue of border demarcation and sovereignty over several ancient temples, including Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains unresolved and raises doubts about the long-term viability of the ceasefire.
“You can trust Thailand. We have always respected our agreements and our commitments. Let this be the last signing, so that peace is restored and our people can return home,” Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday. Thailand’s legislative elections are scheduled for February 8.
With AFP
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