Niger: A committee of experts to respond to the damage caused by Orano
Niger has taken a decisive turn in its economic sovereignty by announcing the creation of an expert committee tasked with preparing legal action against Orano, the French nuclear operator. This decision comes amid a sensitive political and institutional context. Following the July 2023 coup d’état, the new authorities severed all agreements with France; including those on uranium exploitation and now assert exclusive control over their strategic resources.
Minister of Justice Alio Daouda clarified that the mandate of the committee will be to document the alleged violations of Orano in environmental, public health, and fiscal matters, and to prepare legal complaints before all relevant national and international courts, including French jurisdictions.
This initiative forms part of a strategic counter-response. While the French company had already initiated proceedings against Niger before ICSID, the Nigerien state now intends to reverse the power dynamic and seek reparations for decades of exploitation deemed harmful.
The case of the 400 barrels of radioactive waste discovered in Arlit concretely illustrates the health and environmental risks attributed to Orano.
Official measurements reveal radioactivity levels above the norm, containing substances such as bismuth-207 and chromium-X, highlighting failures in protecting public safety and preserving the ecosystem.
Beyond legitimate outrage, this situation underscores the urgency for Niger to secure and develop its resources autonomously, without excessive techno-financial dependence on the former colonial power.
Economically and socially, the establishment of this committee paves the way for more stringent oversight of mining activities, which could generate fairer revenues for the state, improve protection for local communities, and support sustainable development projects.
It also lays the groundwork for a policy of economic justice, in which national resources primarily serve the interests of citizens rather than foreign profits.
By affirming its determination to pursue Orano on all legal fronts, Niger is drawing a clear line: sovereignty is not negotiable.
This dense and determined initiative demonstrates that the defense of African resources can be conducted with rigor, method, and strategic ambition, paving the way for truly autonomous development that respects national dignity.
In reclaiming control over its uranium, Niger reminds the world that economic freedom is the foundation of any lasting political independence.
Fayçal BADIE
