Several hundred Belarusian women demonstrated again in Minsk on Saturday for the resignation of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. At least ten police activists were detained, the AP agency reported. Smaller anti-government demonstrations took place in other cities of the country. Today, his president spoke by telephone with US Secretary of State Mike Pompe about the situation in Belarus.
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Hundreds of women marched through the center of Minsk and had red and white umbrellas in the colors of the historic Belarusian flag in the rain. They also carried banners writing their professions to emphasize the breadth of opposition to Lukashenko. He has ruled Belarus for 26 years, and this August the Central Election Commission declared him the winner of the presidential election again. The opposition, the EU, the US and other countries consider the results to be manipulated.
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Lukashenka may have forced Sviatlana Tsikanouskaya from her own country, but he can’t stop her talking to her people. Video link between her and Minsk residents. Open, honest communication is the sign of true leader, which she is. pic.twitter.com/z9iB8Ry7CQ
– Franc Viačorka (@franakviacorka) October 24, 2020
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Demonstrations in Belarus have been going on for two and a half months, despite numerous arrests and often brutal crackdowns on their participants. Most people take to the streets to protest against the authoritarian president on Sunday. The demonstration is also planned for this Sunday, when the ultimatum given to Lukashenko by the opposition leader Sviatlana Cichanouska will expire. It called on the president to resign and release all political prisoners by October 25, otherwise a nationwide strike will cripple the country.
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The head of American diplomacy called Lukashenko
The results of the August elections, in which Cichanous ran for Lukashenko instead of her imprisoned husband, did not recognize the EU or the US and imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials responsible for electoral manipulation and violent repression of opposition demonstrations; but they do not apply to Lukashenko.
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Pompeo, the head of American diplomacy, spoke to the Belarusian president today. According to Belarusian state television, Pompeo told Lukashenko that the United States supports Belarus’ sovereignty and wants to develop cooperation with it. Lukashenko reported to Pompe on “national dialogue” in the country, the AP said. Lukashenko has agreed to negotiate a change to the constitution, but according to the opposition, he only wants to gain time and stay in power for as long as possible.
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