:FUNCINPEC

"FUNCINPEC" is a French acronym for "Front uni national pour un Cambodge indépendant, neutre, pacifique, et coopératif", which translates as "National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia" in English.Widyono (2008), p. xii It is commonly known by its acronym, used in the form of a word.{{cite web |author=Michael Hayes |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rise-and-demise-funcinpec |title=The rise and demise of Funcinpec |date=24 March 2006 |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121428/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rise-and-demise-funcinpec |archive-date=4 March 2016 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }}

On 21 March 1981, Sihanouk founded FUNCINPEC, a royalist resistance movement, from Pyongyang, North Korea.Jeldres (2005), p. 235{{cite book|author=David M. Ayres|title=Anatomy of a Crisis: Education, Development, and the State in Cambodia, 1953–1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMBgWV5SYekC&pg=PA136 |year=2000 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-2238-5 |page=136}} Over the next few months, Sihanouk forged closer ties with the Chinese government as he saw the need of gathering resistance armies sympathetic to FUNCINPEC,Jeldres (2005), p. 236 such as MOULINAKA (Movement for the National Liberation of Kampuchea). He had resisted earlier attempts between 1979 till 1981 by the Chinese government for him to forge political alliances with the Khmer Rouge, whom he had accused of killing his own family members during the Cambodian genocide.Jeldres (2005), pp. 218–9 He reconsidered his position over allying with the Khmer Rouge, with whom they shared a common goal of ousting the People's Republic of Kampuchea (PRK) government, which was under Vietnam's influence. In September 1981, Sihanouk met with Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF) leader Son Sann and Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan to establish the framework for a coalition government-in-exile. Subsequently, on 22 June 1982, the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK) was formed, and Sihanouk was made its President.Jeldres (2005), p. 238

In September 1982, {{ill|Armee Nationale Sihanoukiste|ru|Национальная армия сианукистов}} (ANS) was formed by the merger of several pro-FUNCINPEC resistance armies, including MOULINAKA.Mehta (2001), p. 69 Ties between FUNCINPEC with the KPNLF and Khmer Rouge remained tenuous. On the one hand, Son Sann publicly criticised Sihanouk on several occasions, while on the other hand, the Khmer Rouge army periodically attacked the ANS, prompting Sihanouk in threatening to quit as CGDK's president on at least two occasions in June 1983Mehta (2001), p. 73 and July 1985.Mehta (2001), p. 74 In December 1987, Sihanouk met with the Prime Minister of the PRK government, Hun Sen in France.Widyono (2008), p. 33 The following year in July 1988, the first informal meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia between the four warring Cambodian factions consisting of FUNCINPEC, Khmer Rouge, KPNLF and the PRK government. The meetings were held with a view to end the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, and two additional meetings were later held which became known as the Jakarta Informal Meetings (JIM).Widyono (2008), p. 34

In August 1989, Sihanouk stepped down as the President of FUNCINPEC and was succeeded by Nhiek Tioulong. At the same time, Ranariddh was made the Secretary-General of the party.Mehta (2001), p. 82 In September 1990, the four warring Cambodian factions reached an agreement to form the Supreme National Council (SNC), an organisation designed to oversee Cambodia's sovereign affairs in the United Nations on an interim basis. The SNC consisted of twelve members from the four warring Cambodian factions, with two seats going to FUNCINPEC. Sihanouk negotiated to become the 13th member of the SNC, a proposal which Hun Sen initially rejected,Findlay (1995), p. 8 but later acceded after Sihanouk relinquished his FUNCINPEC party membership in July 1991. Sihanouk was elected as the chairman of the SNC,Findlay (1995), p. 9 and the SNC seats under FUNCINPEC's quota were filled up by Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy.Findlay (1995), p. 58 When the Paris Peace Accords were signed in October 1991, Ranariddh represented the party as its signatory.Secretariat of the United Nations (1991), p. 300

{{Main|1993 Cambodian general election}}

Ranariddh was elected as FUNCINPEC's president in February 1992.Widyono (2008), p. 154 Subsequently, in August 1992, FUNCINPEC formally registered itself as a political party under the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) administration, and started opening party offices across Cambodia the following month.Widyono (2008), p. 116 Party offices and officials were harassed and attacked by State of Cambodia (SOC) secret police and military intelligence officials.Hughes (1996), p. 33 Between November 1992 and January 1993, 18 FUNCINPEC officials were killed and another 22 officials wounded, prompting Ranariddh to call on UNTAC to intervene and end the violence. UNTAC responded by setting up a special prosecutor's office to investigate cases of political violence,Hughes (1996), p. 50 but faced resistance from the SOC police in arresting and prosecuting offenders.Heder & Ledgerwood (1995), pp. 125, 127 Most of the violent attacks occurred in the Kampong Cham and Battambang provinces,Heder & Ledgerwood (1995), p. 120 whereby the governor in the latter province, Ung Sami was found to have been directly involved in the attacks.Hughes (1996), p. 51 When UNTAC allowed election campaigns to start in April 1993, FUNCINPEC held few election rallies due to intimidations from SOC police.Heder & Ledgerwood (1995), p. 198 They campaigned through low-key methods, such as using pick-up trucks to travel around the country and broadcast political messages as well as sending party workers to visit villages in the countryside.Heder & Ledgerwood (1995), p. 199

FUNCINPEC had 400,000 membersMehta (2001), p. 93 by the time UNTAC allowed political parties to start election campaigns on 7 April 1993.Mehta (2001), p. 91 They campaigned on the party's historical relations with SihanoukHeder & Ledgerwood (1995), p. 63 as well as Ranariddh's blood ties to his father. Party supporters wore yellow T-shirts depicting Sihanouk,Mehta (2001), p. 92 and made rallying calls that "a vote for FUNCINPEC was a vote for Sihanouk".Widyono (2008), p. 118 Sihanouk remained popular with the majority of the Cambodian electorate, and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), the successor party to the PRK and SOC governments, was aware of such voter sentiments. In their editorials, the CPP emphasised their efforts to bring about Sihanouk's return to the country in 1991, as well as policy parallels between the CPP and the Sangkum, the political organisation which Sihanouk had led in the 1950s and 1960s.Heder & Ledgerwood (1995), p. 193

Voting was carried out between 23 and 28 May 1993Findlay (1995), p. 82 and FUNCINPEC secured 45.47% of all valid votes cast, which entitled them to take up 58 out of 120 seats in the constituent assemblyFindlay (1995), p. 84 FUNCINPEC obtained the most seats in Kampong Cham, Kandal and Phnom Penh.Mehta (2001), p. 123 The CPP came in second place and secured 38.23% of valid votes, and were unhappy with the outcome of the elections. On 3 June 1993, CPP leaders Chea Sim and Hun Sen met with Sihanouk to propose that he should lead a new interim government, and also demanding power-sharing for the CPP with FUNCINPEC on a fifty-fifty basis. Sihanouk agreed to the CPP's proposal and announced the formation of an interim government that evening.Widyono (2008), p. 124 Ranariddh and other FUNCINPEC leaders were not consulted over Sihanouk's proposal, and the announcement caught them by surprise. Ranariddh sent a fax to his father to disapprove of the CPP's proposal,Mehta (2001), p. 99 and the United States expressed a similar stance. Sihanouk publicly rescinded his earlier announcement of the interim government's formation the following day.Widyono (2008), p. 125

On 10 June 1993, Chakrapong led a secession movement and threatened to form a breakaway state consisting of seven eastern Cambodian provinces. Chakrapong had by then joined the CPP was supported by the interior minister, General Sin SongWidyono (2008), p. 128 and Hun Sen's older brother, Hun Neng. The secession movement pressured Ranariddh to accede to CPP's request for power-sharing, and Hun Sen subsequently persuaded his brother to drop the secession movement.Mehta (2001), p. 102 Four days later, the first constituent assembly meeting was held which saw an interim government being formed, with Hun Sen and Ranariddh serving as co-Prime MinistersWidyono (2008), p. 129 in a dual Prime Ministership arrangement.Mehta (2001), p. 104 There were a total of thirty-three cabinet posts available, while the CPP got sixteen, FUNCINPEC got thirteen and the other coalition partners got the four remaining posts available.Widyono (2008), p. 130 When Sihanouk was re-instated as the King of Cambodia on 24 September 1993, he formalised the power-sharing arrangement by appointing Ranariddh as the First Prime Minister and Hun Sen as the Second Prime Minister in the new government.Widyono (2008), p. 131

The new government shrunk the number of cabinet portfolios to 23, equally divided between FUNCINPEC and CPP. Each took eleven ministries under their charge while the BLDP was allocated one cabinet post.Widyono (2008), p. 144 The CPP gave away half of all provincial governor posts available to FUNCINPEC, but kept most of the local government posts consisting of district and commune chiefs as well as civil service positions to its party appointees.Widyono (2008), p. 145 Ranariddh developed a good working relationship with Hun Sen, which was maintained until March 1996.Widyono (2008), p. 165 The UN secretary-general's representative to Cambodia, Benny Widyono noted that while both of them appeared together in public functions, Hun Sen held more political sway as compared to Ranariddh in the government.Widyono (2008), p. 166 In October 1994, Ranariddh and Hun Sen sacked Sam Rainsy as FUNCINPEC's finance minister after he repeatedly leaked confidential documents and corruption in a public manner.Widyono (2008), pp. 178–9 Rainsy's sacking upset Norodom Sirivudh, the secretary-general for FUNCINPEC and Minister of Foreign Affairs to resign from his ministerial post at the same time.Mehta (2001), p. 142 Rainsy continued to criticise the government in his capacity as a Member of Parliament (MP), and Ranariddh introduced a motion to expel Rainsy from the National Assembly and FUNCINPEC.Widyono (2008), p. 180

In October 1995, Sirivudh talked about his desire to assassinate Hun Sen during an interview with So Naro, who was the secretary-general of the Khmer Journalists Association.Widyono (2008), p. 183 A few days later Ung Phan, a FUNCINPEC minister who had close ties with Hun Sen,Widyono (2008), p. 188 called Sirivudh and accused him of getting involved in receiving kickbacks for printing Cambodian passports. Sirivudh angrily denied the accusations and threatened to kill Hun Sen over the phone. The phone conversation was recorded, and Ung Phan passed the recorded phone conversation to CPP co-minister of the interior Sar Kheng. Hun Sen learnt of the conversation and became enraged at Sirivudh's comments, and pressured Ranariddh and other FUNCINPEC ministers to strip his parliamentary immunity so that he could be arrested. Sirivudh was arrested and briefly placed in detention, but subsequently exiled to France when Sihanouk intervened in the case.Widyono (2008), pp. 184–5

The following January, FUNCINPEC held a closed-door seminar at Sihanoukville, attended by selected party members close to Ranariddh. The attendees expressed concern of CPP's attempts to dominate over FUNCINPEC, and a resolution was adopted to build up the military strength of pro-FUNCINPEC forces within the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).Widyono (2008), p. 214 At the same time, party members had become increasingly resentful at Ranariddh for not getting party posts despite campaigning for the party in the 1993 elections.Widyono (2008), p. 216 When the party congress was held on 22 March 1996, Ranariddh criticized the CPP, complaining over a range of issues that ranged from delays in allocating local government posts to FUNCINPEC officials, to the lack of executive authority of FUNCINPEC cabinet ministers vis-a-vis their CPP counterparts. Ranariddh threatened to dissolve the National Assembly and hold elections, should FUNCINPEC's concerns be ignored.Widyono (2008), p. 215 Subsequently, the CPP issue an official statement to protest Ranariddh's criticisms.Widyono (2008), p. 217

Hun Sen developed a belligerent attitude toward Ranariddh and FUNCINPEC, calling him a "real dog" at a CPP party meeting in June 1996.{{cite web |author=Jason Barber |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen-takes-hard-line-party-summit |title=Hun Sen takes hard line at party summit |date=26 July 1996 |access-date=6 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120609/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen-takes-hard-line-party-summit |archive-date=24 September 2015 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }} Several months later in January 1997, Ranariddh led FUNCINPEC to forge a political alliance, the National United Front (NUF), with the Khmer Nation Party, Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party and the Khmer Neutral Party.Peou (2000), p. 295 The CPP condemned NUF's formation, and proceeded to form a rival political coalition consisting of political parties ideologically aligned to the former Khmer Republic.Widyono (2008), p. 240 Tensions between FUNCINPEC and the CPP worsened even further when armed clashes between Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) troops separately aligned to FUNCINPEC and CPP broke out at Battambang Province on 10 February 1997.Widyono (2008), p. 237 On that day, troops under the command of the FUNCINPEC provincial deputy governor, Serey Kosal encountered a convoy of 200 pro-CPP troops who were travelling en route to Samlout. After Serey Kosal's troops disarmed the pro-CPP troops, news of the incident spread to nearby areas and fighting soon broke out between troops from both rival factions, leaving at least 21 troops dead.{{cite web |author1=Tricia Fitzgerald |author2=Sok Pov |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/factional-fighting-jolts-northwest |title=Factional fighting jolts the northwest |date=21 February 1997 |access-date=6 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104323/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/factional-fighting-jolts-northwest |archive-date=24 September 2015 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |author=Brad Adams |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/07/27/cambodia-july-1997-shock-and-aftermath |title=Cambodia: July 1997: Shock and Aftermath |date=28 July 1996 |access-date=1 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709210709/https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/07/27/cambodia-july-1997-shock-and-aftermath |archive-date=9 July 2015 |work=Human Rights Watch |url-status=dead }}

On 14 April 1997, Ung Phan announced that he and twelve other FUNCINPEC MPs had decided to break away from the party. Hun Sen applauded the move, pledging support for any initiative within the party to oust Ranariddh as its president. Subsequently, FUNCINPEC's steering committee quickly moved to woo back the defecting MPs, successfully getting back eight of them.Peou (2000), p. 343 At the same time, they expelled the five remaining MPs who refused to comply, including Ung Phan.Peou (2000), p. 344 Subsequently, on 1 June 1997, the renegade MPs convened a rival party congress dubbed as "FUNCINPEC II",Summers (2003), p. 235 which was attended by 800 people. At the congress, the attendees voted for Toan Chhay, the governor of Siem Reap province, as its new president. At the same time, the attendees accused Ranariddh of gross incompetence, who in return declared the congress as illegal and accused the CPP of interfering in the party's affairs.

{{Main|1998 Cambodian general election}}

On 5 July 1997, RCAF troops separately aligned to CPP and FUNCINPEC fought in Phnom Penh, leading to the latter's defeat the following day.Peou (2000), p. 298 Ranariddh, who had sought refuge in France just two days before the fightingMehta (2001), p. 110 was labelled as a "criminal" and "traitor" by Hun Sen for attempting to "destabilise Cambodia". Subsequently, on 11 July 1997, Loy Sim Chheang, FUNCINPEC's First Vice President of the National Assembly, proposed for another FUNCINPEC MP to replace Ranariddh as the First Prime Minister. Five days later, FUNCINPEC's foreign minister Ung Huot was nominated to take his place.Peou (2000), p. 345 When a National Assembly session was held on 6 August 1997, Ung Huot's appointment was endorsed by 90 MPs, consisting of CPP MPs and FUNCINPEC MPs who have switched allegiances to Hun Sen. At the same time, 29 FUNCINPEC MPs who remained loyal to Ranariddh, boycotted the session.Widyono (2008), p. 260

Shortly after Ung Huot's appointment, Toan Chhay who had proclaimed himself as the president of the FUNCINPEC at a rival congress in June 1997, jockeyed for control over the party leadership with Nady Tan, another FUNCINPEC leader{{cite web|author=Nick Lenaghan|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-chiefs-eye-top-positions|title=Funcinpec chiefs eye up top positions|date=29 August 1997|access-date=1 January 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}} who remained sympathetic to Ranariddh.Peou (2000), p. 370 In October 1997, FUNCINPEC supporters allied to Nady Tan proposed renaming the party to "Sangkum Thmei", hoping to capitalise on the electorate's popularity with the Sangkum Reastr Niyum, Sihanouk's political party when he was in power.{{cite web|author1=Claudi Arizzi |author2=Huw Watkin |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-members-moot-new-sangkum|title=Funcinpec members moot new 'Sangkum'|date=24 October 1997|access-date=1 January 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}} While FUNCINPEC did not adopt a new name, the name "Sangkum Thmei" was adopted by a splinter party, led by Loy Sim Chheang who later left FUNCINPEC by February 1998. At the same time, Ung Huot followed suit, and formed another splinter party known as "Reastr Niyum".{{cite web|author=Jason Barber|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/aim-game|title=The aim of the game|date=13 February 1998|access-date=1 January 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}}

In early March 1998, a military court convicted Ranariddh guilty of smuggling weapons and causing instability to the country, sentencing him to a total of 35 years of imprisonment. After ASEAN and the European Union stepped in to condemn the sentences, Ranariddh was pardoned of all charges, allowing him to return to Cambodia on 30 March 1998 to prepare for the general elections scheduled to be held in July 1998,Summers (2003), p. 237 allowing Ranariddh to spearhead FUNCINPEC's election campaign.Mehta (2001), p. 128 When campaigning for started in late June 1998,Peou (2000), p. 316 FUNCINPEC focused on pro-monarchial sentiments, improving living standardsPeou (2000), p. 317 and anti-Vietnamese rhetoric.{{cite web |author1=Samreth Sopha |author2=Elizabeth Moorthy |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-relies-royalty-anti-vn-rhetoric |title=Funcinpec relies on royalty, anti-VN rhetoric |date=17 July 1998 |access-date=2 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702163536/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-relies-royalty-anti-vn-rhetoric |archive-date=2 July 2015 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }} The party faced numerous obstacles, including loss of access to television and radio channels which had come under CPP's exclusive control following the 1997 clashes, and the difficulties of its supporters in getting to party rallies. When the results were announced on 5 August 1998, FUNCINPEC secured 31.7% of all valid votes, which translates to 43 seats in the National Assembly, lagging behind the CPP which polled 41.4% of the votes and secured 64 seats.Peou (2000), p. 318

As the CPP required a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly to form a government, it offered FUNCINPEC and the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), which had come in third place in the elections, to become joint partners of a coalition government. Both Ranariddh and Rainsy, now the leader of his eponymous party refused, and filed complaints against election irregularities to the National Election Committee (NEC). When the NEC turned down their complaints, they organised public protests between 24 August until 7 September 1998, when riot police stepped in to break them up.Peou (2000), p. 319 Subsequently, Sihanouk meditated two meetings in September and November 1998, leading to a political deal being struck between CPP and FUNCINPEC in the second meeting.Summers (2003), p. 238 The deal provided for another coalition government between CPP and FUNCINPEC, with the latter as a junior coalition partner controlling the tourism, justice, education, health, culture and women's-cum-veteran's affairs portfolios.Mehta (2001), p. 131 In exchange for FUNCINPEC's support for Hun Sen to become the sole Prime Minister, Ranariddh was made the President of the National Assembly.Widyono (2008), p. 268

File:FUNCINPEC logo 1992-2006.jpg

After becoming the President of the National Assembly, Ranariddh supported the creation of the Cambodian Senate,{{cite web|author1=Beth Moorthy |author2=Samreth Sopha |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/prince-eager-push-senate-creation|title=Prince eager to push for Senate creation|date=19 February 1999|access-date=14 January 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}} which was formally established in March 1999. The senate had a total of 61 seats, of which 21 seats were allocated to FUNCINPEC, based on proportional representation vis-a-vis the National Assembly. Over the next few years until 2002, FUNCINPEC maintained cordial ties with the CPP,Summers (2003), p. 239 to which Ranariddh described it as an "eternal partner" during FUNCINPEC's party congress in March 2001.Mehta (2001), p. 179 Subsequently, in July 2001, Ranariddh welcomed Sirivudh back into the FUNCINPEC and reappointed him as its secretary-general. The following month, FUNCINPEC replaced several cabinet ministers, governors, and deputy governors from its party. As the deputy secretary general of FUNCINPEC, Nhek Bun Chhay saw it, the reshuffles were done to increase the voters' confidence in the party and prepare for the commune council elections and general elections, which were scheduled to take place in 2002 and 2003 respectively.{{cite web|author1=Thet Sambath|author2=Matt Reed|url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/funcinpec-reshuffle-part-of-sirivudhs-strategy-25749/|title=Funcinpec Reshuffle Part of Sirivudh's Strategy|date=11 September 2001|access-date=14 January 2016|work=The Cambodia Daily|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074350/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/funcinpec-reshuffle-part-of-sirivudhs-strategy-25749/|url-status=dead}}

When the commune elections were held in February 2002, FUNCINPEC performed poorly, winning control over 10 out of a total of 1,621 communes across Cambodia.{{cite web|author=Van Roeun|url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/commune-election-figures-made-final-by-nec-30305/|title=Commune Election Figures Made Final By NEC|date=9 March 2002|access-date=14 January 2016|work=The Cambodia Daily|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013514/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/commune-election-figures-made-final-by-nec-30305/|url-status=dead}} Subsequently, rifts within the party boiled into the open as Khan Savoeun, a Deputy Commander-in-chief of the RCAF, accused its co-Minister of the Interior, You Hockry of practising nepotism and corruption. At the same time, Hang Dara and Norodom Chakrapong – the latter had returned to FUNCINPEC in March 1999Mehta (2001), p. 161 – formed their own splinter parties and took along a large number of FUNCINPEC party members. A year later in July 2003, The general elections were held, and took 20.8% of the votes,Strangio (2014), p. 99 which entitled them to 26 seats in the National Assembly.{{cite web|author=Yun Samean|url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/cpp-wins-73-seats-in-official-election-returns-40324/|title=CPP Wins 73 Seats in Official Election Returns|date=1 September 2003|access-date=14 January 2016|work=The Cambodia Daily|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073928/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/cpp-wins-73-seats-in-official-election-returns-40324/|url-status=dead}} While the CPP won the election, it still lacked the constitutional requirement of having a two-thirds majority on its own in forming a new government without the support of other coalition partners.

Subsequently, in August 2003, Ranariddh and Rainsy joined hands once again, forming a political alliance known as the "Alliance of Democrats". While the AD agreed to the idea of a coalition government between the CPP, FUNCINPEC and Rainsy's SRP, they also called for Hun Sen to step down as Prime Minister,{{cite web |author1=Yun Samean |author2=Porter Barron |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/prince-repeats-call-for-a-3-party-coalition-40084/ |title=Prince Repeats Call for a 3-Party Coalition |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=18 August 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703020305/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/prince-repeats-call-for-a-3-party-coalition-40084/ |archive-date=3 July 2015 |access-date=13 February 2015 |url-status=dead}} and reforming the NEC, which the AD claimed that it was filled with CPP's appointees. Hun Sen balked at accepting AD's demands, leading to several months of political stalemate. During this time, several party activists from FUNCINPEC and SRP were killed, purportedly by henchmen linked to the CPP. At the same time, several FUNCINPEC officials have obtained loans from CPP-linked businessmen which they had used for financing their own election campaigns. These officials lobbied Ranariddh into accepting the idea of a CPP-FUNCINPEC coalition government so as to secure government positions and repay their loans.Strangio (2014), p. 100

Ranariddh eventually acceded in June 2004, walking out of his political alliance with Rainsy and agreed to the idea of a CPP-FUNCINPEC coalition government with Hun Sen remaining in his position as Prime Minister. At the same time, Hun Sen coaxed Ranariddh into supporting a constitutional amendment known as a "package vote", which required MPs to support legislation and ministerial appointments by an open show of hands. While Ranariddh acquiesced to Hun Sen's demand, the "package vote" amendment was opposed by the SRP, SihanoukStrangio (2014), p. 101 and CPP President Chea Sim. Ranariddh's decision to join hands with the CPP was criticised by many FUNCINPEC leaders such as Mu Sochua, subsequently leading to their resignation from the party.Strangio (2014), p. 102 On 2 March 2006, the National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment which required only a simple majority of parliamentarians to support a government, instead of the two-thirds majority that was previously stipulated.Strangio (2014), p. 113 After the amendment was passed, Hun Sen abruptly fired Norodom Sirivudh and Nhek Bun Chhay, who were FUNCINPEC's co-minister of interior and co-minister of defense.Widoyono (2008), p. 277 Ranariddh protested the dismissals, resigning as the President of the National Assembly and left Cambodia for France.Widoyono (2008), p. 278

After Ranariddh's departure, FUNCINPEC splintered into two camps – one camp by members loyal to Ranariddh, while another camp consisted of members that were allied to Nhek Bun Chhay, who by now had become the party's secretary-general and closely associated with Hun Sen. Hun Sen started attacking Ranariddh, accusing the latter of eloping with Ouk Phalla, a former Apsara dancer in getting her own friends and family members into government posts.{{cite web |author=Yun Samean |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/over-40-fpec-officials-removed-from-posts-53928/ |title=Over 40 F'pec Officials Removed From Posts |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=3 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003124851/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/over-40-fpec-officials-removed-from-posts-53928/ |archive-date=3 October 2015 |access-date=14 February 2015 |url-status=dead}} At the same time, party leaders from both rival camps started quarreling publicly, with Serey Kosal, a FUNCINPEC minister seen to be allied to Ranariddh, accusing Nhek Bun Chhay of attempting to topple Ranariddh.{{cite web|author=Vong Sokheng|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/split-widens-funcinpec-hierarchs-trade-verbal-blows|title=Split widens as Funcinpec hierarchs trade verbal blows|date=16 June 2006|access-date=14 January 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}} When an extraordinary congress was held on 18 October 2006, Ranariddh was dismissed as FUNCINPEC's president, who was in turn replaced by his brother-in-law, Keo Puth Rasmey.{{cite web |author=Vong Sokheng |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-dismisses-ranariddh |title=Funcinpec dismisses Ranariddh |date=20 October 2006 |access-date=14 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115755/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-dismisses-ranariddh |archive-date=24 September 2015 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead}} Nhek Bun Chhay justified Ranariddh's ouster on the grounds of his deteriorating relations with Hun Sen as well as his practice of spending prolonged periods of time overseas.{{cite web |author1=Yun Samean |author2=James Welsh |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/prince-ousted-as-president-of-funcinpec-55338/ |title=Prince Ousted As President Of Funcinpec |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=19 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222132515/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/prince-ousted-as-president-of-funcinpec-55338/ |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=27 October 2015 |url-status=dead}}

File:FUNCINPEC logo 2006-2015.jpg

On 9 November 2006, Nhek Bun Chhay filed a lawsuit accusing Ranariddh of pocketing $3.6 million from the sale of its headquarters to the French embassy in 2005.{{cite web |author=Yun Samean |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/suit-filed-on-sale-of-fpec-headquarters-60381/ |title=Suit Filed on Sale of F'pec Headquarters |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=10 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003123410/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/suit-filed-on-sale-of-fpec-headquarters-60381/ |archive-date=3 October 2015 |access-date=14 February 2015 |url-status=dead}} Within days, Ranariddh returned to Cambodia, and announced the formation of the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) which he positioned it as an opposition party vis-a-vis the CPP and FUNCINPEC.{{cite web |author=Vong Sokheng |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ranariddh-now-i-am-opposition-party |title=Ranariddh: 'Now, I am the opposition party |date=17 November 2006 |access-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102510/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ranariddh-now-i-am-opposition-party |archive-date=4 March 2016 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead}} In March 2007 Ranariddh, who feared the prospect of imprisonment from the embezzlement suit, left Cambodia. Subsequently, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled in Nhek Bun Chhay's favour, ruling Ranariddh guilty and sentencing the latter to 18 months of imprisonment.Strangio (2014), p. 114 In October 2007, FUNCINPEC endorsed Norodom Arunrasmy, the wife of Keo Puth Rasmey, as the party's candidate for the post of Prime Minister in the general elections slated to be held in 2008. At the same time, Nhek Bun Chhay mooted the possibility of getting back Ranariddh into FUNCINPEC, fearing that the party might have lost its popularity following Ranariddh's ouster.{{cite web |author=Vong Sokheng |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/fpec-wants-ranariddh-back-fold |title=RF'PEC wants Ranariddh back in the fold |date=18 October 2007 |access-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115203/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/fpec-wants-ranariddh-back-fold |archive-date=4 March 2016 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead}}

When the general elections were held in July 2008, FUNCINPEC won 2 seats in the National Assembly as most of the party's supporters voted for the CPP, which won the elections and secured 90 seats in the National Assembly. As a result of its losses incurred in the general election,Strangio (2014), p. 115 the CPP took over ministerial positions which were formerly held by FUNCINPEC MPs since 2004, although it still allowed Nhek Bun Chhay to remain in his position as Deputy Prime Minister, while 32 senior party members were appointed as secretary-of-state and undersecretary-of-state positions.{{cite web |author=Cheang Sokha |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-lose-govt-posts-poll-aftermath |title=Funcinpec to lose govt posts in poll aftermath |date=14 August 2008 |access-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216070021/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-lose-govt-posts-poll-aftermath |archive-date=16 February 2016 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }} In the next few months after the elections, the Phnom Penh Post reported that at least 10 percent of its members defected to the CPP, including its former ministers Pou Sothirak{{cite web |author1=Vong Sokheng |author2=Neth Pheaktra |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/flood-funcinpec-defectors-continues |title=Flood of Funcinpec defectors continue |date=14 August 2008 |access-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216070009/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/flood-funcinpec-defectors-continues |archive-date=16 February 2016 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }} and Sun Chhanthol.{{cite web |author=Vong Sokheng |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-defections-continue-unabated-six-more-jump-ship |title=Funcinpec defections continue unabated, as six more jump ship |date=2 February 2009 |access-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216070032/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-defections-continue-unabated-six-more-jump-ship |archive-date=16 February 2016 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }} In February 2009, FUNCINPEC signed an agreement with the NRP to cooperate for the commune council elections that was slated to take place in May 2009.{{cite web|author=Meas Sokchea|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/royalists-unite-elections|title=Royalists unite for elections|date=3 February 2009|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} When the elections took place in that month, the FUNCINPEC-NRP alliance only secured less than 0.1% of all votes cast for the provincial, municipal and district-level seats.{{cite web|author=Post Staff|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cpp-win-75pc-council-vote-nec|title=CPP win 75pc of council vote: NEC|date=19 May 2009|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}}

Both FUNCINPEC and NRP held tentative discussions on the possibility of a party merger in June 2009{{cite web|author=Meas Sokchea|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/two-royalist-parties-remain-independent-time-being|title=Two royalist parties to remain independent, for the time being|date=9 June 2009|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} and April 2010,{{cite web|author=Tep Nimol|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/royalist-parties-merge-month-official|title=Royalist parties to merge this month: official|date=6 April 2010|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} with both parties agreeing an electoral alliance in June 2010 as a first step toward an eventual merger.{{cite web|author=Meas Sokchea|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/royalists-form-new-alliance|title=Royalists form new alliance|date=8 June 2010|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} In December 2010, Ranariddh publicly for FUNCINPEC and NRP to merge, suggesting that the new party borne out of the merger be named "FUNCINPEC 81", with "81" as a reference point to the year which Sihanouk founded FUNCINPEC in 1981. Sihanouk quickly distanced himself from any association with the party, and posted a website on his website iterating his unequivocal support for Hun Sen and the CPP government. In response, Ranariddh pledged that he would similarly support Hun Sen should the party merger be realised. Nhek Bun Chhay balked at Ranariddh's suggestion, saying that the party merger would cause "difficulties" with the party's continued partnership with the CPP,{{cite web|author1=Meas Sokchea |author2=Vong Sokheng |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/prince-floats-coalition-deal|title=Prince floats coalition deal|date=13 December 2010|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} while the party issued an official statement rejecting Ranariddh's proposal.{{cite web|author=Meas Sokchea|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-still-opposed-royalist-merger|title=Funcinpec still opposed to royalist merger|date=2 January 2011|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}}

In April 2011, Nhek Bun Chhay was elected as the party's president, replacing Keo Puth Rasmey who in turn was appointed the party's chairperson.{{cite web|author=Meas Sokchea|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-taps-bun-chhay|title=Funcinpec taps Bun Chhay|date=4 April 2011|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} Thirteen months later, Nhek Bun Chhay and Ranariddh signed an agreement to merge NRP into FUNCINPEC, which provided for Ranariddh to become FUNCINPEC's president with Nhek Bun Chhay as his deputy. The agreement was brokered by Hun Sen, who wanted both parties to reunite.{{cite web|author1=Vong Sokheng |author2=Bridget Di Certo |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-nrp-set-merge|title=Funcinpec, NRP set to merge|date=25 May 2012|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} The merger agreement fell apart as Nhek Bun Chhay and Ranariddh accused each other of thinking about supporting other opposition parties.{{cite web|author=Meas Sokchea|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/royalist-merger-shaken-again|title=Royalist merger shaken again|date=19 June 2012|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Phnom Penh Post}} Subsequently, in March 2013, Nhek Bun Chhay was succeeded by Norodom Arunrasmy as the party's president, who in turn resumed his former role as the party's secretary-general.{{cite web |author=Fu Peng |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/23/c_132256666.htm |title=Daughter of late King Sihanouk officially leads royalist party to contest in July's polls |date=23 March 2013 |access-date=12 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113230/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/23/c_132256666.htm |archive-date=7 February 2017 |work=Xinhua |url-status=dead }} When general elections were held in July 2013, FUNCINPEC suffered defeat as it lost its remaining two seats which it held in the National Assembly. In turn, Nhek Bun Chhay relinquished his Deputy Prime Minister position and was made a government adviser,{{cite web|author=May Titthara|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cpp-keeps-funcinpec-close-despite-no-seats|title=CPP keeps Funcinpec close, despite no seats|date=16 October 2013|access-date=13 February 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}} although the CPP-led government appointed 28 FUNCINPEC members as undersecretaries of state.{{cite web|author=Meas Sokchea|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/funcinpec-enters-fray|title=Funcinpec enters fray|date=5 November 2013|access-date=13 February 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}}

In early January 2015, Ranariddh expressed his intent to return to FUNCINPEC.{{cite web |author1=Chhay Channyda |author2=Pech Sotheary |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/going-back-his-roots |title=Going back to his roots |date=2 January 2015 |access-date=8 September 2015 |work=Phnom Penh Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100823/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/going-back-his-roots |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} At the party congress held on 19 January 2015, Ranariddh was reappointed as FUNCINPEC president, succeeding Arunrasmy who was appointed as its first vice-president, while Nhek Bun Chhay was appointed as second vice-president.{{cite web |author1=Mech Dara |author2=Alex Willemyns |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/ranariddh-named-funcinpec-president-again-76397/ |title=Ranariddh Named Funcinpec President—Again |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=20 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804172500/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/ranariddh-named-funcinpec-president-again-76397/ |archive-date=4 August 2015 |access-date=18 February 2015 |url-status=dead }} Rifts between Nhek Bun Chhay and Ranariddh quickly surfaced as the both of them sparred with each other over the right to use the party stamp{{cite web|author=HUL REAKSMEY AND ALEX WILLEMYNS|url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/funcinpec-factions-war-over-who-can-issue-official-letters-78506/|title=Funcinpec Factions War Over Who Can Issue Official Letters|work=The Cambodia Daily|date=23 February 2015|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216112317/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/funcinpec-factions-war-over-who-can-issue-official-letters-78506/|url-status=dead}} and the appointment of Say Hak as the party's secretary general.{{cite web|author=MECH DARA|url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/funcinpec-partys-feud-over-secretary-general-post-continues-78633/|title=Funcinpec Party's Feud Over Secretary-General Post Continues|work=The Cambodia Daily|date=25 February 2015|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216122028/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/funcinpec-partys-feud-over-secretary-general-post-continues-78633/|url-status=dead}} Ranariddh eventually gained the upper hand, and Say Hak's appointment was reaffirmed at another party congress held in March 2015. He also managed to convince party delegates present at the congress to adopt a new party logo.{{cite web |author=Kang Sothear |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/prince-ranariddh-wins-funcinpec-power-struggle-79690/ |title=Prince Ranariddh Wins Funcinpec Power Struggle |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=13 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813133852/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/prince-ranariddh-wins-funcinpec-power-struggle-79690/ |archive-date=13 August 2015 |access-date=4 June 2015 |url-status=dead }} At the same time, Ranariddh appointed four more vice-presidents to the party's executive committee, namely You Hockry, Por Bun Sreu, Nuth Sokhom and Nhep Bun Chin.{{cite web |author=Meas Sokchea |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/funcinpec-goes-gold |title=Funcinpec goes for the gold |date=13 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818084203/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/funcinpec-goes-gold |archive-date=18 August 2015 |access-date=4 June 2015 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }}

In July 2015, FUNCINPEC announced the formation of the Cambodian Royalist Youth Movement, a youth organisation aimed at garnering electoral support for the party from younger voters.{{cite web |author=Hul Reaksmey |url=http://www.voacambodia.com/content/royalist-party-forms-youth-movement/2880168.html |title=Royalist Party Forms 'Youth Movement' |date=27 July 2015 |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215172324/http://www.voacambodia.com/content/royalist-party-forms-youth-movement/2880168.html |archive-date=15 December 2015 |work=VOA Cambodia |url-status=dead }} Meanwhile, tension persisted between Nhek Bun Chhay and Ranariddh, which erupted into a public spat, as Ranariddh threatened to expelled Nhek Bun Chhay who in turn, accused the party president of holding a grudge against him.{{cite web |author=Ros Chanveasna |url=http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/20816/back-as-funcinpec-president--ranariddh-looks-to-oust-an-old-enemy/ |title=Back as Funcinpec President, Ranariddh Looks to Oust an Old Enemy |date=31 January 2016 |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6fGW9eOsE?url=http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/20816/back-as-funcinpec-president--ranariddh-looks-to-oust-an-old-enemy/ |archive-date=13 February 2016 |work=Khmer Times |url-status=dead }} Subsequently, on 3 February 2016, Nhek Bun Chhay announced that he was quitting the party, and went on to form his new party, the Khmer National United Party (KNUP). The KNUP adopted a logo which was similar to a former logo of FUNCINPEC, featuring the Cambodian Independence Monument.{{cite web |author=KHUON NARIM |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/ex-military-commander-leaves-prince-launches-new-party-107408/ |title=Ex-Military Commander Leaves Prince, Launches New Party |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=4 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205092401/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/ex-military-commander-leaves-prince-launches-new-party-107408/ |archive-date=5 February 2016 |access-date=13 February 2016 |url-status=dead }} The secretary-general, Say Hak accepted Nhek Bun Chhay's resignation, while at the same time challenged KNUP's use of its new logo{{cite web |author=Vong Sokheng |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/bun-chhay-can-leave-logo-stays-funcinpec |title=Bun Chhay can leave, logo stays: Funcinpec |date=5 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206082737/http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/bun-chhay-can-leave-logo-stays-funcinpec |archive-date=6 February 2016 |access-date=13 February 2016 |work=Phnom Penh Post |url-status=dead }} as he lodged a successful complaint with the interior ministry.{{cite web |author=KHUON NARIM |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/new-logo-nhek-bun-chhay-presses-ahead-party-plans-108415/ |title=With New Logo, Nhek Bun Chhay Presses Ahead With Party Plans |work=The Cambodia Daily |date=13 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214083739/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/new-logo-nhek-bun-chhay-presses-ahead-party-plans-108415/ |archive-date=14 February 2016 |access-date=13 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}

FUNCINPEC declared on 1 June 2017 that it is open to legalizing same-sex marriage.{{cite web|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/parties-open-gay-marriage|title=Parties open to gay marriage|first=Pang|last=Vichea|date=1 June 2017|website=phnompenhpost.com|access-date=18 April 2018}} The party came runners-up to the Cambodian People's Party in the 2018 general election but did not win any seats in a vote described by multiple observers as a "formality".{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/hun-sen-cpp-wins-parliamentary-seats-cambodia-election-180815135109639.html |title=Hun Sen's CPP wins all parliamentary seats in Cambodia election |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=17 August 2018}}

Image:Ranariddh Sihanouk.jpg

FUNCINPEC had its own military forces, which was first known as the {{ill|Armee Nationale Sihanoukiste|ru|Национальная армия сианукистов}} (ANS) when it was formed on 4 September 1982. The ANS was an amalgamation of several armed resistance movements that have pledged alliances with Sihanouk. They consisted of MOULINAKA, Kleang Moeung, Oddar Tus and Khmer Angkor, giving the ANS a combined strength of 7,000 troops.Im (2005), p. 89 In Tam, a former Prime Minister of the Khmer Republic, was appointed as the Commander-in-chief of the ANS in its founding year. In the initial years of after its formation, the ANS received weapons and equipment from China, as well as medical supplies and combat training for its troops from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.Mehta (2001), p. 68 At the same time, the ANS regularly faced attacks from the Khmer Rouge forces until 1987, suffering heavy casualties as a result.Mehta (2001), p. 75

In March 1985, Sihanouk appointed one of his sons, Norodom Chakrapong as the deputy chief-of-staff of ANS. The following January, Sihanouk appointed another son, Norodom Ranariddh as the ANS chief-of-staff. Ranariddh was also made the Commander-in-chief of the ANS, replacing In Tam.Mehta (2001), p. 184 When the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1991, the ANS had a total of 17,500 troops under its command,Widyono (2008), p. 76 although it was reduced to 14,000 after the UNTAC attempted a demobilisation exercise that lasted between May and September 1992.Widyono (2008), p. 78 In 1993, the ANS was amalgamated into the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), together with the Cambodian People's Armed Forces (CPAF) and KPNLF armed forces, under UNTAC supervision. Troops from each of the three armies retained respective factional loyalties to their former resistance affiliations.Widyono (2008), p. 147 The ex-ANS troops came under the command of General Nhek Bun Chhay,Peou (2000), p. 294 who served as the deputy chief of staff for the RCAF between 1993 and 1997.Sané (1998), p. 5

In the years between 1993 till 1996, the Cambodian defence ministry attempted to integrate the different factions together, but were unsuccessful.Peou (2000), p. 347 In a dossier written by Nhek Bun Chhay around mid-1997, there were 80,800 pro-FUNCINPEC troops, which were divided into 11 battalions across the country. Nhek also express concern of the inferior troop strength of the pro-FUNCINPEC forces, as they were slightly outnumbered compared to 90,000 pro-CPP troops.Peou (2000), p. 351 In November 1996, armed skirmishes occurred between RCAF troops separately aligned to CPP and FUNCINPEC, after a pro-CPP general, Keo Pong accused a pro-FUNCINPEC general, Serey Kosal of attempting to kill him, who in turn accused Keo Pong of recruiting Khmer Rouge defectors into his ranks. More armed skirmishes broke out until February 1997, leaving 14 pro-CPP and 2 pro-FUNCINPEC troops wounded.Peou (2000), p. 348 Subsequently, Ke Kim Yan, the chief-of-staff of the RCAF stepped in to meditate the conflict, and a directive was issued to prohibit movement of troops without the explicit permission of the government.Peou (2000), p. 349 In late March 1997, the two co-defense ministers, Tea Banh of the CPP and Tea Chamrath of FUNCINPEC, together with Ke Kim Yan and Nhek Bun Chhay formed a bipartisan defence committee was formed to prevent the RCAF from getting embroiled into the political conflict between Ranariddh and Hun Sen.

While the defence committee formed, the Cambodian media reported continued unusual troop movementsWidyono (2008), p. 244 positioning themselves in Phnom Penh, and minor skirmishes between troops from both sides occurred sporadically until June 1997.Widyono (2008), p. 253 On 4 July 1997, Nhek Bun Chhay signed a military pact with the Khmer Rouge at Anlong Veng,Peou (2000), p. 352 prompting pro-CPP troops to strike their pro-FUNCINPEC counterparts the following day. Violent clashes erupted between pro-CPP and pro-FUNCINPEC forces at FUNCINPEC headquarters, Pochentong Airport and Ranariddh's residence in Phnom Penh.Widyono (2008), p. 255 The pro-FUNCINPEC forces, led by Nhek Bun Chhay initially gained an advantage as they were able to control up to half of the city,Widyono (2008), p. 257 but were soon overwhelmed and defeated the following day after pro-CPP forces sent in additional troops.Widyono (2008), p. 258 Over the next three days, pro-CPP troops arrested and several at least 33 pro-FUNCINPEC senior military officers.Peou (2000), p. 304 Among those who were executed included Ly Seng Hong, deputy chief-of-staff of RCAF; Ho Sok, secretary of state of the Interior Ministry and Chao Sambath, deputy chief of the espionage and military intelligence department of RCAF.Peou (2000), p. 305

In subsequent days after the clashes, pro-CPP troops continued their military offensives against pro-FUNCINPEC troops in the northwestern parts of Cambodia, which controlled the towns of Sisophon, Banteay Meanchey and Poipet. The pro-FUNCINPEC troops, who were outmatched against their pro-CPP counterparts, retreated to O Smach in Oddar Meanchey Province, where they held out against pro-CPP troops which continued military offensives against them. At O Smach, pro-FUNCINPEC forces met the Khmer Rouge forces led by Khieu Samphan, who proclaimed Nhek Bun Chhay as the chief-of-staff of the resistance forces. Fighting continued between pro-CPP and pro-FUNCINPEC troops until February 1998, when both sides agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the Japanese government.{{cite web |author1=Stew Magnuson |author2=Kimsan Chantara |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/govt-resistance-agree-to-cease-fire-86373/ |title=Gov't, Resistance Agree to Cease-fire |date=28 February 1998 |access-date=17 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130013142/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/govt-resistance-agree-to-cease-fire-86373/ |archive-date=30 January 2016 |work=The Cambodia Daily |url-status=dead}} After general elections were held in July 1998, Nhek Bun Chhay called for the 20,000 pro-FUNCINPEC forces to be reintegrated into the RCAF. Subsequently, Nhek Bun Chhay left O Smach, returned to Phnom PenhPeou (2000), p. 355 and was appointed as a senator.{{cite web|author1=Bou Saroeun |author2=Peter Sainsbury |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/nhek-bun-chhay-mystified-attack-wife-and-home|title=Nhek Bun Chhay mystified by attack on wife and home|date=1 October 1999|access-date=17 January 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}} Khan Savoeun, a former subordinate of Nhek Bun Chhay, was subsequently appointed as one of the four deputy commander-in-chief of the RCAF in February 1999.{{cite web|author1=Michael Hayes |author2=Bou Saroeun |url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cpp-control-rcaf-major-reforms-promised|title=CPP in control of RCAF, major reforms promised|date=5 February 1999|access-date=17 January 2016|work=Phnom Penh Post}}

{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes Acting President of FUNCINPEC}}

• :Category:FUNCINPEC politicians

{{reflist|30em}}

{{notelist}}

• {{cite book|author=Hughes, Caroline|title=UNTAC in Cambodia: The Impact on Human Rights|year=1996|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|location=Singapore|isbn=9813055235}}
• {{cite book|author=Findlay, Trevor|title=Cambodia – The Legacy and Lessons of UNTAC–SIPRI Research Report No. 9|url=http://books.sipri.org/files/RR/SIPRIRR09.pdf|year=1995|series=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Solna, Sweden|isbn=0198291868|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805051550/http://books.sipri.org/files/RR/SIPRIRR09.pdf|archive-date=2009-08-05}}
• {{cite book|author=Im, François|title=La question cambodgienne dans les relations internationales de 1979 à 1993|year=2005|publisher=Atelier national de reproduction des thèses|location=France|isbn=2284049060}}
• {{cite book|author=Jeldres, Julio A|title=Volume 1–Shadows Over Angkor: Memoirs of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia|year=2005|publisher=Monument Books|location=Phnom Penh Cambodia|isbn=974926486X}}
• {{cite book|title=Propaganda, Politics and Violence in Cambodia: Democratic Transition Under United Nations Peace-Keeping|author1=Heder, Stepher R.|author2=Ledgerwood, Julie|year=1995|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|location=United States of America|isbn=0765631741}}
• {{cite book|author1=Mehta, Harish C.|author2=Julie B.|title=Strongman: The Extraordinary Life of Hun Sen: The Extraordinary Life of Hun Sen|year=2013|publisher=Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd|location=Singapore|isbn=978-9814484602}}
• {{cite book|author=Mehta, Harish C.|title=Warrior Prince: Norodom Ranariddh, Son of King Sihanouk of Cambodia|year=2001|publisher=Graham Brash|location=Singapore|isbn=9812180869}}
• {{cite book|author=Peou, Sorpong|title=Intervention and Change in Cambodia: Towards Democracy?|year=2000|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|location=National University of Singapore|isbn=9812300422}}
• {{cite book|author=Strangio, Sebastian|title=Hun Sen's Cambodia|year=2014|location=New Haven, Connecticut|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0300210149}}
• {{cite book|author=Summers, Laura|title=The Far East and Australasia 2003|pages=227–243|year=2003|location=New York|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=1857431332}}
• {{cite book|author=Widyono, Benny|title=Dancing in Shadows: Sihanouk, the Khmer Rouge, and the United Nations in Cambodia|year=2008|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|location=Lanham, Maryland, United States of America|isbn=978-0742555532}}

• {{cite web|author=Sané, Pierre|url=http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3ae6a992c.pdf|title=Kingdom of Cambodia – Human rights at stake|date=23 April 1998|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=18 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222121646/http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3ae6a992c.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-12-22}}
• {{cite journal|last=Secretariat of the United Nations|date=23 October 1991|title=Treaties and international agreements registered or filed and recorded with the Secretariat of the United Nations–No. 28613. Multilateral|url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201663/v1663.pdf|journal=Treaty Series – Treaties and International Agreements Registered or Filed and Recorded with the Secretariat of the United Nations|publisher=United Nations|volume=1663|issue=28609–28619|access-date=8 July 2015}}

{{Cambodian political parties}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1981 establishments in Cambodia

Category:Classical liberal parties

Category:Conservative parties in Cambodia

Category:Factions of the Third Indochina War

Category:Liberal parties in Cambodia

Category:Monarchist parties in Cambodia

Category:Nationalist parties in Cambodia

Category:Political history of Cambodia

Category:Political parties established in 1981

Category:Political parties in Cambodia

Category:Cambodian–Vietnamese War

Category:Norodom Sihanouk