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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Security in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, was reinforced by the meeting of the continent's dignitaries and state leaders on the occasion of the annual summit of the African Union (AU) which it's open Thursday.
Metal detectors and security guards were placed at the entrances of the major hotels in the city.
This year's summit will focus on refugees and IDPs in their own country. Sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than 26 percent of the world's 25.4 million refugees, according to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.
This figure has recently increased due to ongoing crises in countries such as the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
According to UNHCR, 85% of refugees are in developing countries.
Three African countries – Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia – are among the top 10 refugee-receiving countries in the world.
Human rights activists believe that it is time for the AU to take concrete steps to tackle the refugee problem in Africa.
"Member States of the African Union will not suddenly find money to give to refugees," Achieng Akena, executive director of the Pan African Citizens Network, an activist civil society group, told Al Jazeera for democracy and human rights in Africa.
"Africa needs to better integrate refugees and enable them to work, and refugees, like others, must lead dignified lives," Akena added.
AU Pbadports
Refugees and IDPs are not the only topic of discussion for African leaders at the summit.
The AU will unveil the long-awaited design of a pbadport for all African countries. It is hoped that these pbadports will bring the continent closer to the free movement of its population.
The AU Commission will present details regarding the design, production and issuance of the pbadport at the summit.
Pbadports should replace existing pbadports of AU Member States issued at the national level.
Once deployed, pbadports will exempt carriers from the requirement to obtain visas for the 55 states of Africa.
At present, only Seychelles and Benin offer an arrival visa to Africans.
But experts say it could take years before citizens have the new pbadport.
"The free movement of African citizens is generally a good idea.The question is whether it can be implemented," Elissa Jobson, Regional Advocacy Manager for Africa at El Jazeera, told Al Jazeera. International Crisis Group.
"More developed countries will fear that many migrants are seeking to come to their country for economic reasons," Jobson said.
New president
The 55-member pan-African body will also appoint a new leader to succeed retiring President Paul Kagame.
Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sisi should be confirmed for the role.
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