Kuala lumpur: Three months after intense fighting erupted in the border region between Thailand and Cambodia, both nations have formalized a peace agreement in the presence of US President Donald Trump. The signing took place in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, where Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, were in attendance. Trump's arrival coincided with a summit meeting of the South-East Asian ASEAN group.
According to Ghana News Agency, the peace agreement serves as a potent reminder that reconciliation is an act of courage rather than a concession, as emphasized by ASEAN host Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The conflict in question saw Thai and Cambodian armed forces engage in nearly a week of fierce fighting along their extensive 800-kilometre border in July, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.
The clashes claimed the lives of more than 40 individuals and forced hundreds of thousands to flee the region. Notably, 18 Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai custody as prisoners of war, though President Trump announced their imminent release during a speech, expressing pride in his role in resolving the conflict.
Following Trump's intervention, the Southeast Asian neighbors agreed to a ceasefire during a meeting in Malaysia at the end of July. According to the Thai Ministry of Defence, the peace agreement stipulates the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the border area and joint demining efforts.
The longstanding conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has persisted for decades, with sporadic incidents continuing despite the ceasefire agreement reached earlier this year.
