The leading mass organization currently in Cambodia the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland was founded in 2006.
The front has two precursors, namely the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, the militant organization that led to liberation from the Khmer Rouge. This initial group contained not just rebel Khmer Rouge members, but also former Khmer Rumbo.
This then became the Kampuchean United Front for National Construction and Defence in 1981.
Kampuchean United Front for National Construction and Defence (1981–2006)
The Kampuchean United Front for National Construction and Defence was a mass organization organized by the ruling Kampuchean Peoples Revolutionary Party.
The front’s role in the political life of the nation was officially established in the PRK Constitution. It included a number of unions, women’s groups and mass organizations and membership of this was essential if you wanted to be part of politics within Cambodia.
These included among others the Kampuchean Federation of Trade Unions, as well as the 450.000 member Khmer version of the Young Pioneer Movement.
Similar organizations have of course existed in other socialist states, such as the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea in North Korea.
The front would remain in force after democratization, but technically at least under the auspices of the Cambodian Peoples Party, rather than the government. This would change in 2006.
Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland (2006–present)
In further reconstruction of the country the Kampuchean United Front for National Construction and Defence was morphed into the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland in 2006.
Presently the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland (SFDCM) organizes events in both Cambodia and abroad, such as sporting or otherwise. Overall though it still acts as a rallying point for the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) particularly when there are elections, when mass rallies of party members are held.
It has been argued by some that the group has also been used to harass opposition figures.
