13-point ceasefire deal signed by Thailand and Cambodia

Following deadly armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, the two countries have agreed to a 13-point ceasefire implementation plan on August 7th, as reported by AL24 News. This agreement came to materialise during a General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the country positioning itself in a mediator role between Thailand and Cambodia. 

Both nations have expressed a desire for Malaysia to continue this role and facilitate further peace talks “without involving others within and outside ASEAN,” according to the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He has also said  that he “appreciates the trust placed in Malaysia to continue facilitating the peace process.” Ibrahim is also the current chair of the ASEAN bloc, which Cambodia and Thailand are members of.

The meeting was co-chaired by Cambodian Defense Chief General Tea Seiha, and Thai Defense Chief General Nattaphon Narkphanit. The Cambodian and Thai defense ministers were received by Ibrahim prior to the meeting. Both sides were dedicated to the maintenance of peace along the border, and were able to ease tensions regarding the dispute, according to a statement from the Cambodian Information Ministry. Ibrahim also said that the two defense chiefs had given their full commitment to “observe a full ceasefire.”

The border clashes between the two countries lasted for five days, and resulted in more than 35 deaths and forcing more than 200,000 people to escape the area. There have been several clashes over the disputed border which was vaguely drawn by French Colonial Authorities in 1907, with violence dating back to 2008 and ending in 2011. Tensions were dormant for several years following this, but were reignited this year in a clash between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear Province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province regarding the contested border.

The extensive ceasefire plan holds the aim of ensuring “peaceful coexistence between border communities,” according to the Thai Enquirer. It followed after a trilateral meeting held on July 28th, and preliminary talks starting on August 4th. Officials from Malaysia, the US, and China observed these talks. The agreed points of the ceasefire include: full adherence to the ceasefire, no further military aggression. No increase or repositioning in troop presence, avoidance of provocations, and a strong commitment to protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

There has also been discussion for the potential deployment of an ASEAN Observer Team, in order to assist with monitoring the situation, support humanitarian efforts, and coordinate medical assistance along the border.

AL24 News, Maghrebi.org