West African leaders are meeting in Nigeria for an emergency session on the crisis in Guinea amid fears of an imminent civil war that could destabilise the region.

The situation in Guinea has been tense since late last month, when the country's military rulers cracked down on an opposition demonstration, leaving over 150 people dead. The demonstrators were calling for the resignation of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power in December. The protests occurred after Captain Camara announced his intention to run for president despite an earlier pledge he would not seek election.
 

The unrest in Guinea has prompted France and the Netherlands to urge their citizens to leave the country. The United Nations and the International Criminal Court in The Hague have announced separate probes into possible human rights violations in Guinea.
 

The African leaders will also discuss tensions in Niger, where the opposition has announced demonstrations against President Mamadou Tandja after signaling he wanted to extend his term in office.

Photo: Map of Guinea (Flickr / Martapigs)