What's happened
Niger's military government announced it will sell uranium from Somair, escalating tensions with French-owned Orano, which previously operated the mines. The move follows Niger's 2023 coup and its shift towards Russia and away from France, with uranium valued at around €250 million on site.
What's behind the headline?
The move to sell uranium signals Niger's assertion of sovereignty and rejection of French control, likely to deepen regional tensions. The junta's stance on natural resource independence aligns with broader anti-colonial sentiments, but risks economic repercussions. The involvement of Russia indicates a geopolitical shift, with Niger balancing between Western and Russian interests. The recent convoy of uranium leaving Arlit underscores the tangible shift in control. This escalation could lead to increased instability in the Sahel, impacting global uranium markets and European energy supplies. The legal disputes with Orano highlight ongoing conflicts over resource control, which may influence future negotiations and regional diplomacy.
What the papers say
France 24 reports that Niger's military government announced plans to sell uranium from Somair, increasing tensions with French-owned Orano, which previously operated the mines. The move follows Niger's 2023 coup and its pivot towards Russia, with the country claiming full independence over its natural resources. All Africa details the legal disputes and the recent convoy of uranium leaving Arlit, emphasizing Niger's strategic importance in global uranium supply. The articles collectively highlight the geopolitical implications of Niger's resource nationalisation and its impact on regional stability and international relations.
How we got here
Since the 2023 coup, Niger's military junta has challenged French influence, nationalising key uranium mines operated by Orano, a French state-owned company. Niger claims the right to sell its natural resources independently, amid broader regional shifts towards Russia and away from former colonial powers. The country supplies a significant portion of Europe's uranium, making this a strategic move.
Go deeper
- What are the international reactions to Niger's uranium sale?
- Could this lead to further regional instability?
- What are the implications for European energy supplies?
More on these topics
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Niger or the Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa named after the Niger River. Niger is bordered by Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria to the south, Benin to the southwest, Mali to the north-we
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Orano SA is a multinational nuclear fuel cycle company headquartered in Châtillon, Hauts-de-Seine, France. The company is engaged in uranium mining, conversion-enrichment, spent fuel recycling, nuclear logistics, dismantling, and nuclear cycle engineerin
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SOMAIR (Société des Mines de l'Air) is a national mining company of Niger in the mining area of its northern zone.
Established in 1968, it started uranium mining at the Arlit deposit in 1971, mining 0.30 - 0.35% ore down to depth of 60 metres (200 ft...