Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are eyeing a political and monetary alliance.

Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, spoke on national television of a move that could mark a further break with the West African regional bloc.

General Tiani did not give a timeline or details about the project but said it was one of the reasons for his recent visit to both countries.

The three neighbouring states are all ruled by military juntas that have seized power in coups since 2020.

Abandoning the eight-member West African monetary union and adopting a new currency would further isolate Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, who have called their new union the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).