Those words were part of a press release that was published on X on Monday then deleted on Tuesday.

It was replaced by a new press release, that instead called it a simple "information mission" and insisted that Ecowas delegates would "not engage in any other process as indicated in a previous press release, which has been withdrawn".

The opposition in Togo has denounced a proposed new constitution as a power grab, intended to extend the rule of President Faure Gnassingbé.

The reforms would see the West African country move from a presidential to a parliamentary system. But the opposition says they are a ruse to keep Mr Gnassingbé - already in his fourth term - in power.

Ecowas, meanwhile, has been under considerable pressure after recent diplomatic efforts to steer the region's burgeoning military juntas back to democracy have failed.