AES Dismisses Fake Document on “Irreversible” CFA Franc Withdrawal No, the Sahel Alliance Has Not

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, has not announced an “irreversible” withdrawal from the CFA franc, contrary to claims made in a document circulating widely on social media. Verification shows the information to be false.

A falsified document misleading the public

The text in circulation carries the appearance of an official AES communiqué, suggesting a joint declaration from the three states. However, no government authority or AES body has confirmed such an announcement. The document has been identified as a fake designed to mislead public opinion.

Currency issue remains sensitive

While the possible exit from the CFA franc has often been discussed by AES leaders in the context of greater economic sovereignty, no official decision has been taken to date. Any such process, if initiated, would require lengthy consultations and would be formally communicated through the official channels of the member states.

Call for vigilance against disinformation

The incident highlights once again the speed at which misinformation spreads in a sensitive political and economic climate. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution, verify sources of information, and rely solely on official announcements from governments, state media, and designated spokespersons.

Bottom line

The AES has not declared an irreversible withdrawal from the CFA franc. The document circulating online is a forgery, and monetary policy discussions remain ongoing but undecided.

Read: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger News Agencies Seal Partnership at UACO 2025

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