Cambodia to nominate Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, says deputy PM
Speaking to reporters earlier in the capital, Phnom Penh, Chanthol thanked Trump for bringing peace and said he deserved to be nominated for the prize, the highest-profile international award given to an individual or organisation deemed to have done the most to 'advance fellowship between nations'.
Pakistan said in June that it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had nominated Trump for the award.
It was a call by Trump last week that broke a deadlock in efforts to end the heaviest fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade, leading to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on Monday, Reuters has reported.
Following the truce announcement, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that Trump made it happen.
'Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!,' she said.
At least 43 people have been killed in the intense clashes, which lasted five days and displaced more than 300,000 people on both sides of the border.
'We acknowledge his great efforts for peace,' said Chanthol, also Cambodia's top trade negotiator, adding that his country was also grateful for a reduced tariff rate of 19%.
Washington had initially threatened a tariff of 49%, later reducing it to 36%, a level that would have decimated Cambodia's vital garment and footwear sector, Chanthol told Reuters in an interview earlier on Friday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Africa Needs Genuine Friends and Solidarity, Not Big Brother Mentality
Trump 2.0 has gone measures up, selectively and divisively putting African countries under the Orwellian gaze in ways that project, 'Big Brother mentality." Image: Brendan Smialowski/AFP The most challenging emotion for any African international relations observer and ordinary person today is processing the current US administration's stance against South Africa, in particular, and Africa in general. The legacy of the US in Africa may be problematic and mostly detrimental to the African population. But Trump 1.0 and 2.0 have demonstrated shocking derisive contempt for the continent and its people. Depending on which side of the debate one is on, the US could be the world's number one superpower or a rapidly declining one. The rise of a multipolar world and global pluralism, which recognises the emergence of other civilisations and nations, and their right to chart their foreign policies as long as they align and recognise the United Nations Charter, must be recognised. Gideon Chitanga, PhD, is an international relations and political analyst. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Although the African continent bled its most important asset, its human resources, through the slave trade, and was later subjected to close to a century of colonialism, its contribution to human civilisation through intellectual production and culture, abundant natural resources and trade, and the struggle for independence, self determination and national sovereignty should never be taken for granted. There is no doubt about the realisation and direction the continent needs to take, despite many national challenges. Africa is part of a fast-changing world order in which genuine friendships, partnerships and solidarity informed by empathetic historical understanding of its contradictions and choices could steer a robust path towards development. The rise of China, the second-largest economy in the world, and a nucleus around which the multipolar world is emerging into a reality, attests to changing times attuned to genuine multilateralism. Africa-China cooperation, and growing ties among countries of the global south are producing irrefutable evidence of progressive socio-economic transformation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and industrial partnerships, which are unfortunately rattling other powers, instead of supporting such initiatives. Increasingly, Africa and other countries in the global south are demanding an equal voice, responsible exercise of power and an equal share of economic prosperity in the interest of Africans and the whole human race. Despite resonant calls for commitment to multilateralism, a more participatory and equitable world order based on solidarity, international cooperation and mutually beneficial relations, respect for the national sovereignty and self-determination of other nations, the Trump Administration is rewriting history to the age of power is mighty, characterised by 'big brother mentality.' Trump 2.0 has gone measures up, selectively and divisively putting African countries under the Orwellian gaze in ways that project, 'Big Brother mentality." There is no denying the power of partnerships, including bilateral relations with the US, but Africa needs genuine friendship and solidarity that is informed by, and shares common concerns with, the structural legacy of poverty and inequality induced by close to a century of colonial hegemony. To the extent that some of the African leaders have failed their nations, and indeed Africa, friends of the continent and its people should work positively with Africans, who have a better, deeper understanding of their conditions to improve national institutions, governance, and equip the young generation of leaders with proper skills to lead during increasingly complex fluid global context. Furthermore, they must closely collaborate with African countries, and together with much of the global south, to advocate for more equitable international relations, fostering mutually beneficial win-win relations among all nations. While African countries and much of the global south are focused on improving socio-economic transformation at home, and multilateral relations that uplift many of us, Washington has chosen to go isolationist, seeking to 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA). Since the Trump Administration assumed power, it has imposed economic tariffs, including on some of the weakest economies in Africa, unilaterally cut aid, walked away from multilateral commitments such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, and recently from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations whose core mission is to build peace and security through international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication. A statement attributed to Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, says that the US withdrawal was anticipated, of course reflecting the general recognition that Washington is rolling back or out of major multilateral institutions. Azoulay profoundly noted that the decision to withdraw from UNESCO contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism. While withdrawing from multilateral institutions may be a legitimate choice of the current US Administration and American voters, it is its external behaviour that is not only concerning, but also boggles the mind. Let's take the example of South Africa, a major continental economic and political hub, which now finds itself as a major target of the US republican government. South Africa is a relatively stable multiracial democracy facing severe economic challenges, which, among many factors, largely accounts for its sluggish economic growth at an average of 1% in the past decade. A combination of growing violent crime, partly attributable to growing unemployment and a huge influx of economic and political migrants, has created major challenges for South Africa's Government of National Unity, under the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), a party dominated by the minority white population. US-South Africa relations are in jeopardy, but not because Pretoria has violated any of its domestic or international obligations. South Africa has consistently sought to exercise its foreign policy under its constitution and historical norms, in some cases to the consternation of US foreign policy, which tends to be oblivious of the human rights of its targets and the interests of the Global South. South Africa assumed its continental and global prominence after probably experiencing the harshest apartheid policy suffered by any nation. Secondly, like many post-colonial African states, the exercise of its national sovereignty and self-determination was realised out of a painful liberation struggle by its oppressed population. Yet, recently, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 34-16 to send the ''U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act'' to the full House of Representatives. The bill seeks a review of U.S.-South Africa relations over objections to the latter's foreign policy, and imposition of sanctions on South African government and business officials. The US is also snubbing the G20 under South Africa's Presidency, threatening the imposition of high tariffs, expelling Pretoria from AGOA, which, for all purposes, seems to have been overtaken by tariffs. The Trump Administration has also threatened to impose 100% tariffs on members of the BRICS, and to punish South Africa for its close relations with China, as well as its human rights advocacy on the Israeli war on Gaza. Sanctions will complicate South Africa's future economic prospects. Perhaps this US administration has ushered in a critical juncture for African countries to stand together in unity. The global south must reinforce national and international solidarity, intensify calls for robust multilateralism based on the United Nations Charter.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
'Very insufficient' aid entering Gaza, Germany says, as two million face starvation
Palestinians carry bags of flour that they obtained from aid trucks in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on August 1. Image: Bashar Taleb / AFP The amount of aid entering Gaza remains "very insufficient" despite a limited improvement, the German government said on Saturday after ministers discussed ways to heighten pressure on Israel. The criticism came after Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited the region on Thursday and Friday and the German military staged its first food airdrops into Gaza, where aid agencies say that more than two million Palestinians are facing starvation. Germany "notes limited initial progress in the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population of the Gaza Strip, which, however, remains very insufficient to alleviate the emergency situation," government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement. "Israel remains obligated to ensure the full delivery of aid," Kornelius added. Facing mounting international criticism over its military operations in Gaza, Israel has allowed more trucks to cross the border and some foreign nations to carry out airdrops of food and medicines. International agencies say the amount of aid entering Gaza is still dangerously low, however. The United Nations has said that 6,000 trucks are awaiting permission from Israel to enter the occupied Palestinian territory. The German government, traditionally a strong supporter of Israel, also expressed "concern regarding reports that large quantities of humanitarian aid are being withheld by Hamas and criminal organisations". Israel has alleged that much of the aid arriving in the territory is being siphoned off by Hamas, which runs Gaza. The Israeli army is accused of having equipped Palestinian criminal networks in its fight against Hamas and of allowing them to plunder aid deliveries. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "The real theft of aid since the beginning of the war has been carried out by criminal gangs, under the watch of Israeli forces," Jonathan Whittall of OCHA, the United Nations agency for coordinating humanitarian affairs, told reporters in May. A German government source told AFP it had noted that Israel has "considerably" increased the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza to about 220 a day. Berlin has taken a tougher line against Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in recent weeks. The source said that a German security cabinet meeting on Saturday discussed "the different options" for putting pressure on Israel, but no decision was taken. A partial suspension of arms deliveries to Israel is one option that has been raised. Hamas militants launched an attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel's military offensive on Gaza since then has killed at least 60,249 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The UN considers the ministry's figures reliable. AFP
Eyewitness News
11 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Malema takes a swipe at African heads of State
JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Front (EFF) leader Julius Malema has taken aim at African heads of state, accusing them of presenting themselves for a humiliation ritual in the United States Oval Office. Malema delivered this message at the party's 3rd central command team meeting in Bela Bela. He is calling on his party to force Africa to cut ties with imperialist powers. Malema caught the ire of US President Donald Trump when South Africa visited the Oval Office in May—where Trump showed visuals of the firebrand chanting "shoot the boer"—as she sought to substantiate a false claim that whites were under siege in the country. Five African heads of state have recently been hosted by the US president. With President Cyril Ramaphosa being one of them, Malema has accused him of going to the Oval for the sole purpose of discussing the EFF. He says Ramaphosa failed to even defend the "shoot the boer" chant—which is rooted in the president's own political party—the African National Congress (ANC). The EFF leader—in his observations—also notes the lack of improvement in relations between South Africa and the US. During his address, Malema also took a swipe at the US president, describing him as the most unstable imperialist—with ties to sex traffickers. He has further labelled Trump's tariff war as irrational and illiterate—lacking the understanding of the concept of a trade deficit. Malema has called on the global forces on the left to unite against the US.
