DHAKA: African and European leaders will tackle the conflict in the Central African Republic at a special meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

The European Union has officially launched its military mission to CAR, unveiling plans to send 1,000 troops to bolster African and French forces.

The UN has warned that 19,000 Muslims ‘face slaughter’ in CAR, reports the BBC.

Trade and immigration will also feature prominently at the summit.

It is expected to be attended by 30 heads of state and government, 15 each from Africa and Europe.

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe is boycotting the summit after the EU refused to temporarily lift a visa ban on his wife, Grace.

Mugabe received support from South African president Jacob Zuma, who chose to boycott the summit in a show of solidarity for his Zimbabwean counterpart.

‘I think that time must pass wherein we are looked (upon) as subjects,’ Zuma said.

‘We are told who must come, who must not come. It is wrong and causes this unnecessary unpleasantness.’

BDST: 1645 HRS, APR 02, 2014