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Niger's relations with Ecowas broke down when the junta proposed a three-year transition period to democratic rule straight after the coup.

Ecowas called this plan a "provocation" and threatened to intervene with the use of force, before later backing down.

Last month, Mali was one of three countries under military rule to leave the West African regional bloc Ecowas, after refusing its demands to restore civilian rule.

The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger dealt a huge blow to Ecowas, which at 50 years old is considered Africa's most important regional group.

Three countries under military rule have officially left West African regional bloc Ecowas, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions.