President Umar Musa yar'Adua of Nigeria has summoned a summit of Heads of States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for Saturday, October 17, 2009 in Abuja. The meeting is to seek ways to resolve political conflicts in Guinea and Niger, which Nigeria's president warned could destabilise the region.

"The actions of the military leaders in Guinea are contrary to all agreements reached, while my brother in Niger has continued to take steps which are sending wrong signals to the whole world," said Yar'Adua, who also holds the rotating chairmanship of ECOWAS. "We have shed too much blood and lost so much materially, in the fight for democracy, and therefore cannot afford any more conflicts," he added.

International pressure has increased for Guinea's military leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to step down after coming to power in a bloodless coup last December.

Analysts doubt Camara will last out the year, let alone cling on to power until a presidential poll due on Janunary 31th.

In Niger, President Mamadou Tandja has faced widespread criticism for changing the uranium-rich nation's constitution in August to extend his term in office and give himself broader powers under a fully presidential government.

source: AFP/allAfrica.com

photo: epa