US And France Satellite Monitors Niger Uranium As Forces Withdraw From Niger.

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#africanews #niger #uranium
As usual, when it comes to African dealings with the rest of the world, the central theme is always on the continent’s resources. And, for Niger, it is none other than its uranium, a mineral that is critical to the nuclear industry. According to recent reports from “Africa Intelligence”, a media hub, the US National Reconnaissance Office and French observation satellites have been monitoring Niger's uranium mines. The question is “Why are the US and France interested in Niger’s uranium despite the fact that they have been kicked out of the country? Well, both of these countries have their reasons. First Let's analyze France. The simple fact is that uranium is central to France's economic interest in Niger. You see, eight years after Independence France secured privileged access to uranium through a series of agreements. And, in return for this access, the leaders in Niger were guaranteed military security and protection from the threat of terrorism and internal threats such as local political opposition. France also added developmental aid as part of the agreement, one which those greedy leaders eagerly signed. And, from that time Niger became an important trade partner to France, exporting uranium to France which it uses to provide electricity.

According to reports, over the last ten years, natural uranium imported to France came mainly from three countries: Kazakhstan, Niger and Uzbekistan. In Niger, France established Orano, a multinational corporation, which is 90 percent owned by France, that is in charge of extracting uranium from Niger for France. This company has exported more than 130,000 tons of uranium since its establishment in the country over 50 years ago. This amount is twice what the nuclear industry has extracted from French mines during the same period. So, as you can see access to the uranium in Niger is very important to France and that is why before the recent coup which occurred in Niger, Orano had grown to become a player with huge political and economic influence in Niger, thanks to its networks of lobbies and influence with corrupt government elites.