Cambodia gives Myanmar post-coup leader red-carpet reception

Cambodia granted a red-carpet welcome to Myanmar's former coup leader turned civilian president, Min Aung Hlaing, on his arrival in Phnom Penh for a two-day state visit. The leaders of the two nations, Hun Sen and his son Hun Manet, will meet to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

Following a military coup in 2021 that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government, Myanmar's military leaders were persona non grata in many foreign capitals. However, Min Aung Hlaing is actively seeking diplomatic recognition since becoming president in April. Although the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has excluded Myanmar's leaders from high-level summits since the coup, Cambodia is the fourth Asean country to welcome Min Aung Hlaing since his presidency.

He took power following deeply restricted elections organized by his junta, with Suu Kyi's party sidelined and dissent punishable by prison time. Despite labeling the vote as a return to normalcy, democracy watchdogs consider it a façade to legitimize his rule. Nevertheless, analysts believe the move has helped break Myanmar's diplomatic isolation by providing other nations an opportunity to reestablish relations.