This week, prospects for peace on Thai-Cambodian border, and calls for peace in Thailand’s South. Reconciliation initiative brings calm to bandit-hit region of Nigeria.
Prospects for Peace on Thai-Cambodian Border, and Calls for Peace in Thailand’s South
After a clash on the Thai-Cambodian border on May 28 which killed a Cambodian soldier, there may be prospects for peace at the border area. Thailand said the clash occurred when its soldiers were trying to negotiate with Cambodian troops to move away from a contested area, however, “Cambodian forces misunderstood the situation and started using weapons, so Thai forces retaliated,” said Thai army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree. The incident took place between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province.
On June 8, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that both countries would return their troops to previous positions, with both sides wishing to calm tensions. The Thai and Cambodian governments have exchanged several statements expressing their wish to peacefully resolve the issue.
Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry reiterated a request to bring the issue to the International Court of Justice in a letter to Thai officials on June 6, however, the Thai government has said it does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction, proposing that border issues be dealt with through bilateral negotiations. Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the two countries would meet with the Joint Boundary Committee on June 14. Meanwhile, Thailand has decreased the operating hours of 10 border crossings with Cambodia, and Cambodia has also decreased operating hours at border crossings. This has impacted the local economy by bringing trade along the border to a halt.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated in 2008 over a Hindu temple, paving the way for more violence over many years.
In another Thailand-related peace update, the main rebel group is South Thailand, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), released a statement on social media on June 6 calling for the Thai government to resume peace talks with them. The group admitted to being responsible for the recent uptick in violence in Thailand’s Deep South region.
BRN’s leadership insisted it remains the legitimate representative of the southern insurgency and is ready to engage in talks. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said in May that he had met with a Malaysian facilitators to discuss peace in the region. However, he said that Thailand would not negotiate with any group committing violence, and that it needed to see proof that the violence could be stopped before talks proceeded. Wechayachai has said in the past that BRN delegates lacked full control over insurgents.
Reconciliation Initiative Brings Calm to Bandit-Hit Region of Nigeria
In northwest Nigeria, a government-led peace and reconciliation initiative is restoring a measure of normalcy to an area long terrorized by banditry, Voice of Nigeria reported on June 11. Birnin Gwari community in Kaduna State, once the site of banditry, kidnappings, and cattle raidings, is “gradually reclaiming peace and stability” thanks to a non-kinetic strategy by federal and state authorities.
Under this approach – which emphasizes dialogue over military force – many villagers have been able to return to farms and reopen businesses. “This road was a death trap. We could only travel under the protection of armed escorts. Now, we move freely. I commend the government for this progress,” driver Wadalle Jibrin told VON. While a few hamlets remain deserted and security forces guard highways, the situation is now improving.
Tara Abhasakun
Tara Abhasakun is a journalist in Bangkok. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
