Niger Kicks Out French Uranium Mining Company

Things have just taken another ugly turn for France as the Nigerien government recently revoked the license of a French state-owned company to operate at one of the world’s biggest uranium mines located in Niger.

Following the military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, the Nigerien junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has been actively working to cut ties with France, the former colonial power, and other Western nations. Their goal is to eliminate foreign influence on Niger's internal affairs and put an end to the exploitation of the country’s resources by state-owned companies from these Western countries.

One of the first actions taken by the junta was ordering the French ambassador to leave the country, followed by the eviction of several hundred French troops and the closure of all French bases in Niger. The junta also announced the termination of military agreements with France, which had allowed French forces to operate on Nigerien soil.