RABAT, September 1. /TASS/. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) refuted a report about the proposal of a nine-month transition period in Niger, supposedly published by French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP).

AFP reported on Thursday that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerian president and ECOWAS chairman, had offered the rebels in Niger a transitional period of nine months.

Commenting on the report, ECOWAS said in a communique: "The ECOWAS commission’s attention has been drawn to a report of a so-called ECOWAS proposed transition timeframe for Niger. The report, which is in French and supposedly carried by AFP, is false and should be treated as fake news."

"The demand of the Authority of ECOWAS is clear: the military authorities in Niger must restore constitutional order immediately by liberating and reinstating H.E. Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum," the statement says.

In late July, a group of military officers from Niger's presidential guard mutinied and oustered President Mohamed Bazoum. The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, led by the guard’s commander, Abdourahmane Tchiani, was formed to govern the country. The leaders of the ECOWAS countries imposed harsh sanctions on Niger and demanded that the rebels release Bazoum, threatening to use force.