Putting uranium on the international market… a new step that heightens tensions between Niger and France

In a move that reflects ongoing tensions with France, Niger has placed its uranium stock on the international market.

The military government in Niger announced on Sunday that the uranium produced by Somair—formerly affiliated with the French giant Orano before its nationalization in June—would be offered for sale on global markets.

Uranium mining in Niger lies at the heart of the dispute between the military council, which took power in 2023, and Orano, 90% owned by the French government and operating uranium mines in Niger for decades.

The state broadcaster “Télé Sahel” reported on Sunday evening that General Abdourahmane Tchiani, head of the military council, affirmed Niger’s “legitimate right to manage its natural resources and sell them to whoever wishes to purchase them, in accordance with market rules and in full independence.”

Russia’s Minister of Energy, Sergei Tsivilev, had stated in July that Moscow was interested in mining uranium in Niger.

Since assuming power through the 2023 coup, Niger’s military rulers have turned to Russia for assistance in combating terrorist insurgency in the West African nation.

At the same time, they distanced themselves from France, the former colonial power, accusing it of supporting separatist groups.

In 2024, Niger revoked Orano’s rights to operate three of the country’s major mines: Somair, Cominak, and Imouraren, which contain some of the world’s largest uranium deposits.

Orano officially retains a 60% stake in its subsidiaries and has engaged in multiple arbitration procedures in an effort to regain operational control of the mines.

In 2022, natural uranium from Niger accounted for one-quarter of the supply sent to European nuclear power plants, according to data from the Euratom agency.