N'Djamena - Chad's government has said it will no longer be able to host an upcoming African Union summit as planned because of economic difficulties in the impoverished nation.
The central African country was due to host the summit of the continental bloc in June, but has seen its economy suffer, largely due to falling oil prices.
A government statement late Saturday said the country had already begun work on building structures for the gathering, but that "Chad has decided to withdraw its offer to host the summit."
It said that the decision had been made "in light of the economic and financial conditions that are particularly difficult for our country due to the steep decline in global oil prices and given the delay in finishing infrastructure work" related to the meeting.
Chad relies on oil for most of its export revenue. It has produced in the range of 100,000 barrels per day.
AFP
