Niger Military Command

The Niger Military Military Council says it will establish the local uranium company owned by French in the last consecutive escalation between the two countries.

Somaïr is operated by French Nuclear Fuels Orano, which Niger accuses many of the “irresponsible business”.

Since the seizure of power in 2023, Niger Military leaders said they wanted to maintain more local control over the country’s mineral wealth, and they moved away from themselves from France, the former colonial power, approaching Russia.

Niger is the seventh largest uranium producer in the world and has the highest raw materials in Africa.

“This nationalization will allow a healthy and more sustainable management of the company, and therefore, the optimal enjoyment of wealth from mining resources by Nigerians,” the military council said in a statement.

Urano has not yet commented.

The company, which worked in Niger for decades, has a 63 % stake in Somaïr, but last year, the military authorities acquired the operational control of the company.

According to Reuters, Urano, owned by the French state, launched a legal action against Niger on its actions.

Niger achieved independence from France in 1960 and the former colonial authority managed to obtain exclusive access to the Niger uranium supplies through various agreements.

Analysts say that this was seen by many in Niger as a symbol of the continuous dominance of the country by France.

However, they also notice that any uncertainty about the future of the mining sector may threaten hundreds of jobs, as well as export profits.

Earlier this week, the neighboring Mali announced that she is building a Gold Refinery in partnership with a Russian group.

Like Niger, Mali under military control and says she wants to confirm more economic control over her mineral wealth, while cutting ties with France and the West.