US President Donald Trump is set to attend a ceremonial signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia at an upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia. The visit, scheduled for October 26-28, comes in the wake of escalating tensions between the two neighboring nations that erupted into severe military clashes in July, resulting in over 40 fatalities and displacing around 300,000 individuals from their homes.
The ceasefire that currently holds was brokered in part by Trump, after five days of fighting that saw both countries accusing each other of violating the terms of peace. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan confirmed Trump’s presence at the summit, expressing optimism about the potential for a more comprehensive ceasefire agreement. The proposed deal aims for both nations to remove landmines and withdraw military equipment from their borders.
“This peace deal is crucial, and we hope to finalize a declaration during the ASEAN summit, which we might call the Kuala Lumpur Declaration or the Kuala Lumpur Accord,” Mohamad stated, emphasizing the importance of bringing stability and peace to the region.
The situation remains delicate, as Thai government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat acknowledged the US’s priority status in addressing the dispute, while laying out four preconditions that Cambodia must meet before Thailand would consider further negotiations. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand confirmed that he had received a letter from Trump expressing a desire to facilitate a resolution to the conflict. He indicated that discussions would proceed contingent on Cambodia’s withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the border and other stipulated conditions.
In a twist, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, praising his diplomatic efforts that purportedly led to a halt in the violence. However, concerns linger regarding the fragility of the ceasefire. Former Prime Minister Hun Sen referred to the situation as a “concern” during a meeting with a Malaysian official, warning that the potential for renewed clashes persists.
Hun Sen reiterated Cambodia’s desire for an effective ceasefire, aiming towards normalized relations with Thailand, a sentiment echoed by Malaysia as they position themselves as facilitators in this high-stakes diplomatic endeavor.
