Niger: ruling junta will nationalise French uranium company

The military junta ruling Niger is aiming to gain autonomy and economic control over their mineral wealth, by nationalising a local uranium company which is majority French owned, according to the BBC on June 20th.

Since 2023 when the junta came to power, Niger has distanced itself from western nations, primarily France. The 1500 troops that France had on the ground in Niger left before 2024.

In September 2024, Maghrebi reported on the complete withdrawal of the US military from Niger.

The next stage of this shift towards independence by military juntas seems to be taking economic control. Mali, under military control since 2021, has also stated that it wants autonomy over its mineral wealth, and has partnered with Russia to build a new gold refinery, Maghrebi reported on June 19th.

The French owned uranium mine, Somaïr, was seized by Niger’s authorities on December 4th 2024. Military authorities now have operational control.

The disputes between the two nations have been fuelled by Paris refusing to acknowledge the ruling military junta as a legitimate government.

The French company that owns a majority 63% share of the Somaïr mine is Orano, a company owned by the French state.

Niger’s authorities have accused Orano of removing more than its fair share of uranium from the mine, and in retaliation Orano has opened several legal cases against the nation.

Although Niger gained independence from France in 1960, analysts say that France’s exclusive access to Niger’s uranium supply represents the continued domination France has over Niger, according to the BBC.

The junta made a statement that “this nationalisation will allow for healthier and more sustainable management of the company and, consequently, optimal enjoyment of the wealth from mining resources by Nigeriens.” 

According to the BBC, analysts have also noted that the uncertainty over the future of the mining sector could threaten hundreds of jobs and export earnings.

BBC/Maghrebi