- A French mining company, Areva, has lost monopoly over the extraction, search and sale of Niger’s uranium. The company has held the exclusive privileges for 40 years.
Niger’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mrs. Aïchatou Mindaoudou, said the move is aimed at diversifying more partners instead of relying on a single company.
Areva is the world’s main civilian nuclear energy company. It has got two uranium deposits in the West African country. Though Areva has renewed its accords with the Nigerien government, but it will lose the monopoly status come the beginning of 2008.
Seini Oumarou, Niger’s Prime Minister said the uranium per kilo price of 42 euro offered by Areva is far below the world market price of 180 euro per kilo.
Niger government and the French company have been at loggerheads for sometime but the expulsion of Areva Manager, Dominique Pin, has added salt to the injury. Mr Pin was accused of bankrolling the Tourareg rebels of the Movement of Nigeriens for Justice that has been at war with the government.
The rebels have now agreed to hold talks with the government, leading to the release of some soldiers held by the rebels.
The Nigerien President, Mamadou Tandja, had earlier disclosed his government’s readiness to sell 300 tons of uranium on the world market directly
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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