Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has reactivated his Facebook account just three weeks after announcing his switch to Telegram. This move comes shortly before a general election where his party is expected to win decisively. Hun Sen initially stated he would merely cease posting new content on Facebook, not delete his account entirely. He cited Telegram's superior communication capabilities as the reason for the change.

However, following criticism from a Facebook oversight board regarding the language used in one of his videos, and a subsequent recommendation to suspend his account, Hun Sen removed his page altogether. The board suggested a six-month suspension due to concerns about inciting violence. The video in question, a speech from January, targeted opposition politicians whom Hun Sen accused of vote manipulation.

Duong Dara, who manages Hun Sen's social media presence, announced the Facebook reactivation, emphasizing its importance for national communication. He highlighted the platform's value in connecting with Cambodians both within the country and abroad, and stressed the significance of maintaining the page that has been active for 13 years. Hun Sen, a long-term leader in Cambodia, has utilized Facebook since 2015 for diverse purposes, from sharing personal moments to addressing political rivals and broadcasting speeches.

His substantial follower count has been subject to scrutiny, with allegations of artificially inflated numbers through "click farms" – a claim Hun Sen denies. Despite the brief foray into Telegram, which saw a modest increase in subscribers during this period, Hun Sen's return to Facebook underscores the platform's continuing relevance in Cambodian politics. The Oversight Board's recommendation to suspend his account stemmed partly from concerns about his past actions and the potential for his online rhetoric to escalate tensions. The board also overturned Facebook moderators' decision to allow the controversial video to remain online.

In response to the Oversight Board's recommendations, Hun Sen not only deleted his Facebook page but also briefly considered banning the platform in Cambodia, citing online harassment from political adversaries outside the country. He further barred members of the Oversight Board from entering Cambodia. The Cambodian Ministry of Post and Telecommunications also attempted to expel Facebook representatives from the country, citing various concerns including fake accounts, data privacy, and political interference. However, this action was ineffective as Facebook does not appear to have a physical presence in Cambodia.

A person views Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's Facebook page on his mobile phone on March 1, 2016. Hun Sen, on July 20, 2023, reactivated his Facebook account after three weeks. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)