Son Sann, Six Decades of Leadership for Cambodia

Abstract

Son Sann was a political leader that shaped the history of Cambodia from 1935 to 1995. He assumed unique leadership positions, including as Prime Minister and leader of the non-communist resistance against the murderous Khmer Rouge and Vietnam’s occupation. He saw at very early stage the threat of Communism and tried to navigate the country out of decades of cold war, building national coalitions to balance geopolitical interests of dominant foreign powers. A patriot at heart, he set forth a democratic base for the country, while demonstrating moral authority and humility as a public servant in his fight against corruption.