Niger discusses the creation of a common currency with Burkina Faso and Mali to end “colonization”

The head of the military regime resulting from a coup d'état in Niger spoke on Sunday evening of the possible creation of a common currency with Burkina Faso and Mali, as a

of

.

,” declared Nigerien general Abdourahamane Tiani on Nigerien national television, referring to the CFA franc and France, the former colonial power.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso - three former French colonies now run by military regimes -, grouped within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES),

,” he continued.

,” continued General Tiani, and the AES States are

. ”

He assures that

.

The Nigerien leader did not give details on the possible circulation of a future currency.

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Replace the CFA franc

This could, within the AES, replace the CFA franc, currently common to the eight member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), including Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. part.

The strong criticism formulated by these three Sahelian countries and their supporters against the CFA franc could also lead them to leave the UEMOA.

In November, the AES Ministers of Economy and Finance notably recommended the creation of a stabilization fund and an investment bank.

General Tiani's statement comes two weeks after the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, 15 countries), which they accuse of being exploited by the France.

ECOWAS opposed military coups in the three countries and notably imposed heavy economic sanctions on Mali, before applying them to Niger.

In August, it went so far as to threaten to intervene militarily in Niger to restore constitutional order and free the overthrown president Mohamed Bazoum, still sequestered.