Gambian leader, Dr. Alh. Ajj Yahaya Jammeh will not attend this weekend's African Union Summit.

Sources close to his office say he is not in Accra and will not be there for the meeting.

His Vice President, Aisatu NJie-Saidy is representing him at the summit.

Joy News has learnt that President Jammeh has written to the government of Ghana asking to be excused from the meeting to enable him deal with other equally important domestic matters.

The Gambian leader has come under intense criticism especially from civil society groups and the minority NDC's spokesman for foreign affairs, John Mahama, for the deaths of 50 immigrants including 44 Ghanaians in his country two years ago.

John Mahama had called on Ghanaians not to welcome Jammeh if he came for the summit, whilst the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative has planned a vigil to protest at President Jammeh's handling of the killings.

The Gambian leader was also expected to meet with his host and AU Chairman, President Kufuor over the murder of the 50 immigrants, with the latter’s office hoping to use the occasion to demand explanations for the killings.