Niger coup plotters' first retaliation against France

Niger's new government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani banned the export of uranium and gold to France on July 30, according to WION News.

Niger is the world's seventh largest uranium producer, holds Africa's highest-grade uranium ore, and is one of the main exporters of uranium to Europe.

Meanwhile, France imports about 15-17% of its uranium from Niger to supply its nuclear power plants.

France will not lack uranium after Niger stops exporting ore to the country, according to Mr. Thierry Mariani, a member of the European Parliament.

“Uranium is abundant on the planet, and uranium mines are distributed all over the world. In addition, the Orano group, a French nuclear fuel company, has about 10 years of uranium reserves and has the ability to buy it all over the world,” Mr. Mariani added.

“France does not depend on any location, company or country to guarantee the supply of its power plants,” an official from the French energy ministry also affirmed.

Protesters supporting the new military government gather outside the French Embassy in Niamey, Niger on July 30. Photo: Washington Post

Alexander Uvarov, editor-in-chief of the website atominfo.ru, believes that stopping uranium exports from Niger will not have an immediate impact on France for two reasons.

First, uranium is supplied in individual batches. Second, the nuclear power industry normally stores uranium in case of disruption, and the French will have such a stockpile at their disposal.

However, if the export ban becomes permanent rather than temporary, the French nuclear power industry will have to find alternative sources of Niger uranium in Canada or Australia, Mr. Uvarov said.

“The Niger government will also have to find a new importer for its uranium, and it will most likely be China. This will mean profound changes to the global uranium market, and uranium prices could eventually rise,” Uvarov added.

The coup in Niger could also pose a long-term challenge to Europe’s uranium needs, as the continent tries to wean itself off its dependence on Russia, another top uranium supplier.

According to Phuc Vinh Nguyen, an energy expert at the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris, tensions in Niger could force the EU to reconsider imposing sanctions on Russia in the nuclear sector.

According to the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) Supply Agency, Niger was the EU's top uranium supplier, followed by Kazakhstan and Russia in 2021.

“It could have consequences at the EU level. Uranium and nuclear energy in general are not sanctioned yet. If the situation in Niger worsens, this will certainly complicate the application of sanctions on Russian uranium in the short term,” said Phuc-Vinh Nguyen.

The French government “will not tolerate any attack on France and French interests” in Niger, French President Emmanuel Macron said on July 30, after thousands of Nigeriens gathered outside the French embassy in Niamey. Photo: France 24

Coup factions in Niger on July 31 accused France of planning a military intervention in the country to free President Mohamed Bazoum, who is currently being held by the force.

“With the complicity of some Nigeriens, France organized a meeting with the chief of staff of the Niger National Guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorization,” Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesman for the Niger military government, confirmed.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denied the accusation, adding that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum's power could still be restored.

Niger President Bazoum, a Western ally, was overthrown by his own elite bodyguards on July 26.

Guard commander General Abdourahamane Tiani soon declared himself leader of the Sahel nation, but his claim was not recognized by the international community. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave Mr Tiani one week to hand over power to Mr Bazoum or they could intervene militarily in Niger .

Nguyen Tuyet (According to WION, Politico, Washington Post)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/don-tra-dua-dau-tien-cua-phe-dao-chinh-niger-doi-voi-phap-a619850.html