Niger's Uranium Move: A Pivot from French Influence

A uranium shipment from Niger's SOMAIR mine, expropriated by the government, has stirred safety and legal concerns. Orano, a French nuclear fuels group, cited risks and lack of compliance with international transport rules. Niger insists on its right to sell the uranium, highlighting growing resource nationalism post-2023 coup.

A uranium shipment by Niger from the expropriated SOMAIR mine has surfaced safety and security risks according to French nuclear fuels group Orano. The company stated that transporting uranium through unsecured regions poses significant threats. The warning follows media reports of uranium leaving the Arlit site, reportedly without Orano's involvement.

Orano refrained from specifying the shipment's details, but a security source indicated around 1,050 tons were moved, with destination and buyer still unclear. Niger, through state television, proclaimed its sovereign right to sell the uranium despite foreign critiques and tribunal restrictions, marking a pivotal shift in resource control.

The incident adds to a broader narrative of resource nationalism in Niger following the 2023 coup, where strained relations with Western partners now spotlight supply security for European utilities reliant on Niger's uranium. Niger's swift nationalisation of SOMAIR reflects its intent to reclaim resource management, distancing from decades of French dominance.

(With inputs from agencies.)