We know that the junta that took over in Niger tossed out the French, and the French company mining uranium.
Now, Russia is proposing that it build a nuclear power plant in Niger.
Given that, despite sitting on top of one of the largest Uranium deposits in the world, the desperately poor country is dependent on coal powered plants and imported power, this no doubt seems like a welcome development.
I'd be surprised if they ever break ground, I think that there are some severe development and infrastructure issues to be addressed first, but it is a masterful bit of in your face diplomacy by both Niamey and Moscow.
Russia has dangled the possibility of building a nuclear power plant in uranium-rich Niger - a vast, arid state on the edge of the Sahara desert that has to import most of its electricity.
It may be deemed impractical and may never happen, but the concept is yet another move by Moscow to seek a geopolitical advantage over Western nations.
Niger has historically exported the metal for further refining in France, but that is changing as the military-led country cuts off ties with the former colonial power.
The uranium-mining operation operated by French nuclear group Orano was nationalised in June, which cleared the way for Russia to put itself forward as a new partner.
It is talking about power generation and medical applications, with a focus on training local expertise under a co-operation agreement signed between Russian-state corporation Rosatom and the Nigerien authorities.
This is a direct consequence of France's neo-colonial arrangements with its former colonies, which are best described as looting.
There is a lot of hate for France in the Sahel, and it is completely justified.
If ever brought to fruition this would be the first nuclear power project in West Africa.
0 comments :
Post a Comment