Mnangagwa ally seeks new term as Belarus president

69-year-old dictator in bid to extend 31-year rule

By Staff Reporter

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (69) has revealed plans to seek another term as leader of the East European country.

An ally to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Lukashenko has been president since 1994.

“Tell them (the exiled opposition) that I’ll run,” said the Belarussian dictator as he address the media at a polling station after voting in parliamentary and local council elections.

“No one, no responsible president would abandon his people who followed him into battle.”

Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1994 and is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies.

“We’re still a year away from the presidential election. A lot of things can change,” he said in response to a follow-up question.

“Naturally, I and all of us, society, will react to the changes that will take place in our society and the situation in which we will approach the elections in a year’s time.”

This comes as Mnangagwa has also revealed signs he could seek to amend the constitution and seek another term as Zimbabwean leader.