Nairobi — A major conference on countering terrorism in East Africa starts in Khartoum, Sudan, on Wednesday.

Press counsellor at the Sudan's embassy in Nairobi Neimat Bilal, said Botswana, Zambia, Comoros, Madagascar, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti and Chad were expected to participate in the conference, which is a follow-up a similar one held in Kenya last year.

Although Egypt and Libya do not fall in the region, they will also participate, she said adding that the United States of America, the United Nations, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen will attend as observers.

The two-day meeting is vital for the region, which has in the past been victim of terror attacks.

The meeting might also coincide with the swearing-in of the Sudan Government of National Unity, which is expected to take place any time from today.