Feudal kingdom, French protectorate, modern constitutional monarchy, republic,
extreme socialist (Khmer Rouge) and UN mandate – these are a few of the diverse
political structures Cambodia has endured and evolved through in its long history. When
the Paris Peace Accords were finally signed on 23 October 1991, Cambodia took its first
steps as a democratic nation. Twenty years have passed since and while remarkable
progress has been made, the country has a long road to travel yet towards democracy.