Chad President visits Rwanda ahead of AU summit

Chadian President Idriss Deby who is also the African Union (AU) Chairperson, arrived in Rwanda, Capital Kigali on Wednesday for a one-day state visit ahead of forthcoming African Union Summit.

Kigali is set to host the 27th AU summit from July 10th -18th under the theme; "2016: African Year of Human Rights, with particular focus on the Rights of Women."

President Deby who was received by Rwanda foreign minister Louise Mushikiwabo upon arrival at Kigali International Airport is expected to meet and hold talks with Rwanda president Paul Kagame regarding AU summit preparations.

His visit comes barely a week, since African Union Commission chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, visited Rwanda to assess the country's preparedness to host the 27th AU summit.

Speaking to reporters, Mushikiwabo said that, the Chadian leader is in Rwanda on working visit and to consult on various issues which they anticipate will come up during the summit.

"Rwanda is hosting the AU summit in two weeks time. His Excellency Deby who is also the Chairperson of AU is in our country on vital matters concerning the upcoming summit," she added.

More than 3,000 high-level delegates are expected to be in attendance at the summit, including about 50 African.

During the meeting, African Passport will be launched as part of the continent's wider efforts to promote free movement of Africans within their region and other parts of the continent.

Some of the major highlights of the summit will be election of 10 elective positions in the commission's Secretariat which is entrusted with executive functions.

The positions include the AU commission's chairperson, a deputy chairperson and eight commissioners. Endit