Niger suspends export of uranium and gold to France, warns ECOWAS against military intervention

Al Mayadeen
Mon, 31 Jul 2023 15:54 UTC

Niger coup leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani

Niger coup leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani, despite being EU's largest supplier of uranium, halts uranium and gold export to France.

With immediate effect, the Republic of Niger under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, and supported by the people of the Republic, announced the suspension of the export of uranium and gold to France on Sunday.

In parallel to the decision, protestors were surrounding the French Embassy in Niger calling for the end of French colonial practices repeating the slogan "Down with France!" and reaffirming their support to the coup leader, Tchiani.

Comment: Some were also saying "Long live Putin!"

Wazobia Reporters, a Nigerien news website, reported on protestor proclaiming "We have uranium, diamonds, gold, oil, and we live like slaves? We don't need the French to keep us safe."

Simultaneously the Nigerien coup leader has faced condemnations and threats from African governments that maintain ties with the European linked institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the EU as well as the African Union. In that regard, Tchiani said, "We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer of our firm determination to defend our homeland."

It is also worth noting that Niger, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium. The WNA also confirms that Niger, in 2022, produced 2020 tU which would be considered just over 4% of world uranium output.

Comment: Meanwhile Russia is responsible for 46% of the world's uranium enrichment.

Currently, uranium production in Niger occurs mostly through a French majority-owned company called Orano which owns 63.4% of Société des Mines de l'Aïr (SOMAÏR). The remaining 36.66% of this is owned by Niger's Société du Patrimoine des Mines du Niger, known as Sopamin.

In 2021, the European Union utilities purchased 2905 tU of Niger-produced uranium making Niger the leading uranium supplier vis-a-vis the EU.

Earlier, on July 28, Orano released a statement arguing that "the situation remains unstable" in Niger following the overthrowing of French ally and President of Niger Muhammed Bazoum. The company then added that it has "set up a crisis unit to prioritize the safety of its employees" and underscored that "this event to have any immediate impact on its activities in Niger or on the value of its assets."

The coup in Niger follows a pattern of coups across the African continent such as Burkina Faso and Mali.

Comment: Tellingly, most of these coups have been condemned by the West:

• Burkinabe President: Weapons for Ukraine 'end up on our continent' and in hands of terrorists
• Niger soldiers declare coup on national TV, US Sec Blinken expresses support for captured President Bazoum

Why does France, the EU and the US want to see ECOWAS arguable vassal states invade Niger to depose the military regime? France has between 1000-1500 troops in Niger The US has 1100 troops in Niger and the $110 million Agadez Air Base Italy has 300 troops in Niger Niger supplies the EU with over a fifth of its uranium and Niger's uranium is crucial for French nuclear reactors. Niger's new authorities have banned uranium exports to France. Despite Niger being used as a foreign military base and its resources robbed through neocolonial exploitation, 80% of Niger's citizens have no access to electricity and 80% live on less than $2 a day-causing popular support for the military coup.