West African regional bloc ECOWAS says it has imposed sanctions on Guinea-Bissau, after talks with the military junta broke down.

The Economic Community for West African States says the measures will target leaders of the junta, in addition to diplomatic, economic and financial sanctions placed against the country.

During a summit last week in Abijan, ECOWAS gave Guinea-Bissau's rulers 72 hours to make a written commitment to restore constitutional rule. The bloc also demanded they set elections within 12 months.

ECOWAS says the junta rejected the demands and refuses to negotiate.

Military chiefs seized power April 12 as presidential candidates prepared to begin campaigning for a run-off election.

The West African country was electing a new president to replace Malam Bacai Sanha, who died in January after a long illness.