
ECOWAS could send a diplomatic mission to Niger on Saturday, an official said Friday, as ECOWAS defence chiefs continued their talks in Ghana on the crisis in Niger after coup leaders there ignored the West African bloc's deadline to step down. The news comes as the US said it is making precautionary plans to evacuate two key drone and counter-terror bases in Niger if that becomes necessary under the West African nation's new ruling junta. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).