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The
announcement comes as military authorities in the west African
country tighten their grip on foreign companies and civil
society. Tensions have simmered for months between Niger’s
military government and the French company, and relations
between Niamey and Paris have deteriorated.
“Faced with the irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behavior by
Orano, a company owned by the French state — a state openly
hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 ... the government of
Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalize Somaïr,”
the authorities said in a statement.
The authorities allege that Orano took a disproportionate share
of the uranium produced at Somaïr. They added that the company
has also been accused of other “irresponsible actions” at the
site, without elaborating.
Orano did not immediately reply to The Associated Press' request
for a comment.
Somaïr is a joint venture between Orano and Niger’s state-owned
Sopamin, which operates the only active uranium mine in the
country. But last year, authorities took operational control of
Somaïr. They also withdrew Orano's operating permit for the
Imouraren uranium mine, with reserves estimated at 200,000 tons.
Orano is involved in several arbitration processes with Niger.
Last month it sued the Nigerien authorities after the
disappearance of its director and the raiding of its local
offices.
Orano has been operating in Niger, the world’s seventh biggest
supplier of uranium, for over 50 years and holds majority shares
in three main uranium mines in Niger.
Nigerien military authorities seized power in 2023 with a pledge
to cut ties with the West and review mining concessions. Before
that, the country was the West’s major economic and security
partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert
that has been a hot spot for violent extremism.
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