Mugabe in Addis Ababa

President Robert Mugabe has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he will join other leaders from the continent for the 28th African Union (AU) Summit.

He was met by the Zimbabwean ambassador to Ethiopia, Ranga Chimbindi and Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

The AU Summit is a crucial meeting held annually at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The assembly is the AU's supreme organ and comprises of heads of state and government from all 54 member states.

Issues deliberated and agreed on at the summit guide the AU's policies and the programme for the year.

President Mugabe will join other leaders from Africa and will participate in the election of the AU Commission chairperson as well as other commissioners of the AU's top organ.

Outgoing AU Commission chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma did not bid for a second term in office and therefore the summit is expected to elect Africa's next top diplomat.

The summit is being held under the theme, 'Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investment in the Youth'.

The AU replaced the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) that was set up in May 1963 by 32 African states that had achieved independence.

The AU came into force in 2002 and has 54 member states.

President Robert Mugabe has left Harare this afternoon and was seen off at the Harare International Airport by the two Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, Information Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Chris Mushohwe, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Joram Gumbo, Minister of State for Harare Province Miriam Chikukwa and Service Chiefs among others.

Meanwhile, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the Acting President.