Addis Ababa - Conflicts in Mali, Congo and Sudan were likely to feature highly on the agenda of leaders from 54 African countries gathered at an African Union summit Sunday.
Another focus was likely to be consideration of a new set of targets once the Millennium Development Goals - a series of UN aspirations for improving living standards on the continent - reach their 2015 deadline.
Relations with the International Criminal Court (ICC) were also expected to come up.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are among those facing a trial at the ICC over charges of inciting deadly post-election violence in 2007.
On Friday, AU foreign ministers called for the court in the Hague to drop the case.
Criticism of the ICC is widespread in Africa, where leaders have noted that the international body has so far only brought African leaders and warlords to trial.
Sunday's meeting comes a day after the dignitaries celebrated the 50th birthday of the organisation. - Sapa-dpa