Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the African Union, AU, Summit formally opening on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda.

Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant, Media & Publicity, to the Vice President made this known in a press release on Friday.

He stated that a retreat of African Heads of State and Governments will precede the summit proper on Saturday, July 16, while the 27th Ordinary Session of the AU summit is scheduled to hold from 17 to 18 July, 2016.

“The Session has been preceded by the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee, PRC, and the 28th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the Union at the ministerial level ending today (Friday),” Akande stated.

The theme of the summit is “African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the Rights of Women.”

2016 is also being celebrated by the Union as the year of Human Rights with the aim of raising awareness on human and peoples’ rights, particularly women’s rights, on the continent and taking stock of progress or efforts made, including major challenges and/or obstacles encountered.

Vice President Osinbajo, accompanied by Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun and Babagana Kingibe among other functionaries, leaves for Kigali Friday evening and is expected back in the country on Monday, July 19.