WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama has invited a number of African leaders to join the upcoming G8 summit for a discussion on food security in the continent, White House announced on Thursday.

The leaders being invited include Chairman of the African Union and President of Benin Yayi Boni, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Ghanaian President John Mills and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the White House said in a statement.

They will join leaders at the G8 summit at Camp David on May 19 for "a discussion session on accelerating progress towards food security in Africa," said the statement.

The G8 summit is due to be held at Camp David in Maryland on May 18 and 19.

Millions of people, especially those in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, have suffered from the worst drought in 60 years, which struck the Horn of Africa in 2011.

In late April, the United States announced an additional 120 million US dollars in aid to help the region to cope with the crisis, bringing the total US aid to more than $1.1 billion.