The members of the Alliance of Sahel States refuse to generate revenue for France, said the head of Niger's ruling National Council for the Defense of the Homeland, General Abdourahamane Tiani, as quoted by the media.
He also announced the possibility of creating a single currency for the Alliance, calling it a sign of sovereignty.
"There can no longer be any question of our countries being a ‘cash cow’ for France," Tiani said.
The general added that Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are now involved in the process of regaining full sovereignty.
In late January, Iba Karim, a doctoral candidate in economics and management sciences and a former Burkinabe parliamentarian, told Sputnik Africa that the three countries' withdrawal from ECOWAS could lead to the creation of a common currency, which would be viable due to the countries' rich soils.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS on January 28. The three countries argued that the bloc had failed to "support our states in our existential fight against terrorism and insecurity.
The AES states also stated that ECOWAS had "betrayed its founding principles" under foreign influence by imposing sanctions on countries after the coups.
The nations have had strained relations with the regional bloc since the military took power in Mali in 2020, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023.