Mam Sonando, the owner of Beehive Radio, said on Monday that he would return to politics as a candidate for the leadership of the Beehive Social Democratic Party (BSDP), more than six months after he resigned from the presidency.
Sonando, 77, was both an outspoken supporter and critic of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November.
Since the CNRP’s dissolution, Sonando said he had changed his mind about leaving politics, as there was not more of an opportunity for smaller opposition parties to win a bigger share of the vote.
“I will change the box, meaning I will not follow in the footsteps of the CNRP,” he said. “I will not stab people in the back.”
Sonando announced his retirement from politics after his party failed to win support in local elections last year.
Sonando had criticized the CNRP leadership for placing their own personal ambition above the national interest.
Sam In, secretary general of the Grassroots Democracy Party, said he welcomed more competition in the upcoming general election. “We are happy and welcome other political parties,” he said.