Rhodes said the U.S. invited all of Africa with the exception of certain countries that are not in good standing with the African Union or of particular concern to the U.S. The five leaders that were excluded are from the Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Eritrea and western Sahara, which the U.S. and the United Nations do not recognize as a country…

Some lawmakers and groups criticized the inclusion of leaders who are seen as dictators and the schedule for failing to focus enough on human rights. But Gayle Smith, senior director for development and democracy at the National Security Council, said the summit will provide a chance to address some of those issues.