Africa leaders meeting kicks off today

By PATRICK BEJA

  Prominent leaders among them serving and former presidents of Africa will today participate in an international conference on African leadership and governance in Mombasa.

President Kibaki will officially open the convention at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort this morning.

Organisers said they expected about 400 delegates at the continental forum to be addressed by dignitaries. 

The participants are from Africa, USA and Europe as well as institutions like the World Bank, African Development Bank and the United Nations.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki are expected to arrive today (Wednesday).

Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) and the African Leadership of Nigeria are organising the convention. The organisers indicated Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who was lined up as among the key speakers may not attend the session.

The conference’ theme is: “Harnessing business growth and human development in the 21st century in Africa: Claiming the next decade.”