The government has designated December 29 as “Day of Peace in Cambodia” and a national holiday. The day reflects the end of the civil war in 1998 and the resulting 25 years of peace, which has led to rapid development and a fast-growing economy. 

It said the new public holiday will fulfil the aspirations of the Cambodian people, who love peace and hate war. 

Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a January 1 sub-decree, announcing that the holiday will be observed every year. 

He first proposed the holiday two days ahead of this year’s 25th anniversary, as he presided over the inauguration of the Choeung Ek Wastewater Treatment Plant on the outskirts of Phnom Penh on December 27.

“December 29, 1998, the day that led to the end of the war and the reunification of the Kingdom, was Peace Day,” said Manet in reference to the eventual reintegration of the remaining Khmer Rouge soldiers that year. 

“For 500 years, we were divided by conflict. The peace and development we all enjoy today were made possible because 25 years ago we ended the war,” he said.

The premier called on all state institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector to promote the value of peace, and work to preserve it.

“We have established the ‘Day of Peace in Cambodia’ with the sacred purpose of encouraging our compatriots to love peace and hate war. This date was chosen to remember December 29, 1998, when the win-win policy of former Prime Minister Hun Sen brought a total end to war in Cambodia and built a lasting peace,” said Manet on January 1.

The sub-decree explained that the day aims to express gratitude for – and honour the bravery and sacrifices of – the Cambodian heroes and heroines who fought diplomatically and politically to end the war. 

Manet added that their bravery brought about national unification, unity and peace for the Cambodian people. 

Former Minister of National Defence Tea Banh, who played a significant role in the implementation of the win-win policy at the time, said he was elated to hear that December 29 will now be known as the Day of Peace. He recalled that it followed the liberation of Phnom Penh on January 7,1979, and the Paris Peace Agreements of October 23,1991, becoming a milestone in Cambodia’s journey towards peace. 

“December 29, 1998 marked a clear end to the conflict. Armed forces agreed to stop firing on one another. It was the day that the leaders of Khmer Rouge came to [Hun Sen’s] residence and agreed to lay down their arms. They were willing to surrender,” he recounted.

Tea Banh said he had given his full support to the day becoming a formal national holiday.

National Assembly president Khuon Sudary also declared her support for the new addition to the calendar, noting that the Kingdom had suffered many tragedies due to the flames of war.

She explained that the win-win policy of Hun Sen, who created it and became its guiding influence, had extinguished the flames and brought comprehensive peace, ending the dark period of national division which had lasted for “centuries”.

“The designation of December 29 as Day of Peace is an expression of gratefulness to [Hun Sen] and all of the others who worked tirelessly to bring peace to the nation. More importantly, it will serve as a reminder to all future generations to be mindful of the suffering of the Cambodian people that were caused by conflict and national divisions in the past,” she said.

Sudary believes it will inspire the next generation to understand the value of peace and the importance of concerted efforts to preserve it.

Government spokesman Pen Bona describes peace as a shield which protects the right to life and recognises the global values of mankind. 

He believes that the Day of Peace will not only serve as a reminder of the heroes who had sacrificed themselves but will inspire the younger generations to love peace and protect it, so that history cannot repeat itself.

“It is entirely appropriate to mark this date. I am sure it will receive the support of all Cambodians and people from around the world, especially those who have experienced the suffering of war first-hand.

“Anyone who is against peace is against the right to life, the most fundamental of human rights,” he said.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, hailed the formal designation of the day, saying that peace is the most basic principle of the nation and the whole world, both today and for future generations.

Peou also noted that the national liberation on January 7, 1979 and the Paris Peace Agreements of October 23, 1991 were two critical moments in the history of modern Cambodia. 

“Without them, we would not have had the events of December 29, 1998. Each of these dates should be remembered to honour the many people who fought for Cambodia’s freedom from conflict,” he said.

“In the past, Cambodia’s territory was controlled by more than one government. At one point, there were four factions, and then two governments ruled over one territory, meaning there was no national unity. The win-win policy … unified the territory in 1998, which is an indisputable fact,” he added.

He explained that thanks to the territorial unification, Cambodia had the opportunity to develop its society in all fields, while integrating into regional and global forums, and even contributing to maintaining world peace.

“Cambodia has dispatched thousands of ‘blue helmet’ forces on UN peacekeeping missions. Designating December 29 as Day of Peace is in line with the Kingdom’s authority over its own sovereignty and national destiny, as well as unity and its peacekeeping contributions,” he said.