Africa-Press. The crisis between Niger’s military authorities and the French company Orano has entered a new phase after Niamey announced plans to sue the firm before national and international courts over an alleged “environmental catastrophe” inside the country.
Niger’s Minister of Justice, Aliou Daouda, accused Orano of polluting Nigerien land through mining waste, citing the presence of around 400 barrels of radioactive waste. He said the government is seeking “a conviction and compensation for damage inflicted on the environment and local populations.”
Since the July 2023 military coup, Niger’s new authorities have taken steps to curb French influence, including the nationalization of Somaïr, an Orano subsidiary, and opening the door to new partnerships with Russia and other countries. In response, Orano—90% owned by the French state—has filed lawsuits against Niamey, accusing the authorities of seizing its assets.
Uranium dispute
Following the nationalization of Somaïr, Niamey announced plans to sell its uranium independently on international markets. Orano, meanwhile, warned of the departure of a shipment of 1,000 tons of yellowcake (concentrated uranium) from the Arlit mine in northern Niger, valuing it at €300 million. The shipment has been held for weeks at Niamey airport, which was recently targeted in an attack claimed by Islamic State.
Uranium was discovered in Niger in 1957 during the French colonial period, with exploitation beginning in 1971. In 2023, Niger produced 3,527 tons of the radioactive mineral—about 6.3% of global output—according to data from GlobalData.
