Niger’s ruling military junta announced on Thursday that it is nationalising Somair, a subsidiary of the French uranium giant Orano, marking another escalation in the ongoing dispute between Niamey and Paris.

The move follows last year’s loss of operational control by Orano over its Niger-based mining unit.

“Due to Orano’s irresponsible, illegal, and disloyal conduct, and as the company is owned by the French state, which is openly hostile to Niger, the country has exercised its sovereignty by nationalising Somair,” stated Niger’s national television.

Uranium extraction in Niger remains at the heart of a power struggle between the 2023 military junta and Orano, which is 90 per cent owned by the French government and has operated mines in the West African nation for a long time.

Since the military coup, Niger has distanced itself from its former colonial ruler, accusing France of backing separatist movements, and has sought closer relations with Russia.

In 2024, Niger stripped Orano of operational control over its three major mines—Somair, Cominak, and Imouraren, the latter boasting one of the world’s largest uranium reserves.

Although Orano still holds a 60 per cent ownership stake in these subsidiaries, it has initiated arbitration processes to regain control of the mining operations.