Thompson also wrote in his travel advisory, The
combination of widespread Tuareg discontent, a highly motivated and increasingly
capable Tuareg insurgent group, and the Niger governments entrenched political
position suggests that a protracted, and possibly bloody, conflict in northern
Niger is now highly likely, and may even spread to neighbouring countries air jordan 9. The MNJ has been
active for the past six months, as the spot uranium price reached a historic
high.
A week before the Chinese uranium executive was kidnapped, Thompson
warned the MNJ would attack softer targets, such as foreign companies and
personnel air penny 5.Earlier this
year, Nigers Minister of Mines and Energy, Mohammed Abdoulahi, said his staff
was reviewing about 100 exploration applications from 26 companies.
After
Namibia had closed the exploration license window, many chose to pursue uranium
opportunities in Niger foamposites for sale.Most
eager were the Chinese.
The country had announced ambitious plans to
build new nuclear reactors to continue fueling Chinas astounding GDP growth,
while at the same time hoping to reduce its share of carbon dioxide emissions nike mercurial victory. China
is the worlds largest consumer of coal and hopes to reduce its coal dependence
through the use of nuclear, natural gas and other less pollutive
alternatives.
The Tuareg rebels have complained about Chinese workers
taking the jobs of local workers. Ag Alambo issued a warning that he was opposed
to foreign companies supplying Nigers national army, which has been detaining
and killing civilians during a brutal regional security crackdown.At the root of
the recent Tuareg hostilities is the demand to have greater control over Nigers
mineral resources, especially the countrys uranium interests. Uranium comprises
more than 70 percent of the countrys exports. Ironically, Niger derives 100
percent of its electricity from fossil fuels. The electricity-producing power
plant the rebels attacked earlier this year generates power to mine uranium.In
1998, the Tuareg nomads were promised greater autonomy by the Niamey-based
government in southern Niger, but all promises appear to have been broken.
Rebellion by the tribespeople has been sporadic, yet violent, since the
1960s.Thompson reported in his travel advisory, Sources on the ground suggest
that the group (MNJ) is largely made up of veteran Tuareg militants, who were
integrated into the Niger military under the terms of the 1998 agreement and
subsequently defected.In question is who dictates how the land is used whether
for agriculture or uranium mining. The Tuareg nomads want the arable land for
their camels, goats and sheep.The agriculture and livestock sectors provide
about 80 percent of the countrys employment. Only 15 percent of Nigers land is
arable, and herein lies the problem. The Chinese have been exploring near the
oasis of Indall, which because of its salt diapirs could host prolific uranium
deposits.But the salty plains hold a cultural significance. Each September, as
they have for centuries, Tuareg, Peul and Arab nomads gather for the annual salt
cure. During their annual reunion, they exchange news of their nomadic travels
while their livestock graze on the grass of the oasis.An MNJ spokesman explained
that if Indall became a mining town, it would be a disaster.And a disaster is
what could possibly occur between now and September, before the annual nomadic
gathering, should the MNJ insurgents continue targeting uranium interests in
Niger.This is not an anomalous episode, open to instant resolution. The
traditional Tuareg lifestyle has been collapsing since the 1970s because of
desertification and drought, especially the severe droughts of 1972-74 and
1984-85. Having found themselves forced onto the economic and political
sidelines, they took up arms in the 1990s. This led to the resolution of 1998,
which was never honored. Dissatisfaction has driven the nomads to rebel. One
expert commented, The Tuareg problem in Niger was never resolved.And now the
Tuareg and other nomads appear to have banded together to reclaim their
territory, which includes uranium prospecting licenses awarded to foreign
operators.Most likely to be impacted should the Akouta underground uranium mine
suffer any damage is AREVA, which owns 34 percent of the Cominak, the company
which mines this deposit. Other foreign companies holding interests are Japans
Overseas Uranium Resource Development Company (25 percent) and Spains Enusa (10
percent). Uranium concentrates, produ
