"West African regional bloc [the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)] called on Monday for a summit of heads of state next month to try to help resolve a crisis in Niger triggered by President Mamadou Tandja's move to extend his term in office. The ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council called on the government in Niger to release all political activists arrested for opposing Tandja's victory this month in a disputed referendum that gave him three more years in office." (Quoted from article)