33 years. That is how long Hun Sen been in power. Longevity in power is not unique to Africa. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen’s longevity in power, enforced dictatorially, is a case in point.

Hun Sen, born 5 August 1952, Prime Minister of Cambodia, is one of such non-African non-monarchical rulers who has been in power for long. He totals 33 years in power since first becoming Prime Minister in 1985. Sen has employed brutal crackdown on opposition and curtailed freedom of association. He has even used this technique during this year’s election to secure what he called an “overwhelming” victory.

There has been some unexpected news recently. According to analysis by Voice of America, “Following the election, opposition figures jailed in the run-up to the vote have been released, including 14 [members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)]”.

Notable among those released recently is Kem Sokha former head of the CNRP who was set free on bail Monday. VOA reported the story. Sokha was arrested a year ago and jailed on charges of treason by the regime of Prime Minister Sen.

Sen has used the Supreme Court to ban other parties in a bid to allow only his Cambodian People’s Party to canvas for votes. Sen had the Cambodian Supreme Court ban the CNRP in July 2018 ahead of the elections. His commitment to fair elections therefore, is questionable.

See more DC coverage of Cambodia here.