Niger's Uranium Reclamation is Sovereign Right and Just Beginning: Pan-Africanist
Niger's Uranium Reclamation is Sovereign Right and Just Beginning: Pan-Africanist
Uranium is stored at the Arlit site, which belonged to the French company Orano (formerly Areva), nationalized after the 2023 coup d'état.
"Given the international geostrategic and geopolitical stakes, a good arrangement in such circumstances is better than a trial," Issoufou Boubacar Kado Magagi told Sputnik Africa.
The nationalization of SOMAIR and the withdrawal of licenses from Western giants like Orano fully fall under Niger's sovereign right over its vital resources, the activist said, recalling Niamey's official position.
However, the sale of uranium can raise questions.
The stock produced under the old agreement, which ended December 31, 2024, belongs to both parties; if France refuses to share, Niger can still sell the stock and claim its rightful share, the speaker emphasized.
Yet, uranium produced after the agreement expired belongs entirely to Niger: the country can sell it freely to whomever it wants, respecting the IAEA rules, Magagi stressed.
"Rosatom denied any procedure to purchase Nigerien uranium, and the Nigerien government also denied any transaction with the Russian multinational," the speaker added, commenting on the French press-reported controversy over possible Nigerien yellowcake sales to Russia.
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