It is crucial for the world to move away from the US dollar, which prevents national currencies from developing, Mansour Elh Amani, the head of Nigerien's Patriotic Front for Justice and Development told Sputnik Africa.
"It is impossible for the entire world's economy to depend on one currency. There is a necessity for diversification. We need to give other countries the opportunity to participate in the economic process, to take other currencies into account," the leader said.
Elh Amani brought up the example of the currency of Niger (West African CFA franc), which, in order to be converted into another currency, for instance, the Russian ruble, must first be converted into dollars or euros.
According to the official, "national currencies seem to be held hostage."
"This means that we are not the ones making the decisions. Niger is dependent on another currency or another country. And that can affect the economy," Elh Amani stressed. "We do advocate de-dollarization in the world."
Internal Crisis in Niger
The party leader also commented on the crisis in Niger, calling it "uncertain" and added that Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum is fine.
"We met with the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union [Moussa Faki Mahamat] yesterday, he said he had contacted President Bazoum by phone. Everything is fine with him. But at the moment the situation is uncertain," he noted.
Members of Niger's presidential guard launched a mutiny Wednesday, surrounding the presidential palace in the capital Niamey and blockading the president's office and residence.
Later, Niger's military said on national television that Bazoum had been ousted, borders closed and a curfew declared.
The developments in Niger prompted "concern" from the Russian Foreign Ministry and condemnation from UN and France.