Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has confirmed that he will run for a fourth term next year, which could extend his presidency to nearly three decades.

Kagame made the announcement in an interview with Jeune Afrique, a French-language news magazine, on Tuesday, September 20.

“Yes, I am indeed a candidate. I am pleased with the confidence that Rwandans have placed in me. I will always serve them, as long as I can,” the 65-year-old was quoted as saying.

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The Rwandan government in March decided to synchronise the dates for its parliamentary and presidential elections, which are due to be held in August next year.

A former rebel chief, Kagame has been regarded as the country’s de facto leader since the end of the 1994 genocide. He won a third term in 2017, taking home nearly 99 percent of the vote.