Military governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are targeting foreign mining companies, citing violations of local regulations. Operations of several Chinese firms have ceased in Niger due to alleged misconduct, while nationalization and seizures of foreign assets signal a stronger local control over resources. The military regimes, reportedly supported by Russia, are reinforcing their strategy to dominate the mining sector in the Sahel.
In the Sahel region, specifically in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, military governments are actively working to diminish foreign competition in the mining sector. Recently, Niger’s military administration accused three Chinese oil firms of breaching the mining code, leading to their operations being halted in the nation. The companies involved—China National Petroleum Corp, Soraz Zinder Refining Company, and West African Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.—were responsible for constructing and operating a crucial oil pipeline that exported oil from Niger to Benin.
The accusations surfaced following a series of sabotage incidents at oil transport facilities, including a notable explosion on March 12 in the Dankasari area of the Dosso region. According to government officials, the Chinese companies contravened a military decree mandating the “priority allocation of resources for the benefit of the people of Niger.” It was claimed that these companies implemented an inequitable wage system, failed to meet quotas for local suppliers, neglected to offer training and skills development for Nigerien workers, and did not transfer necessary technologies.
In a broader effort to reinforce its hold over mineral resources, Niger nationalized the uranium mine owned by France’s Orano SA earlier in 2024. Similarly, in Mali, government officials arrested executives from Barrick Gold Corp. and confiscated gold from the Loulo-Gounkoto mine. These actions are indicative of a broader strategy by the military-led governance in these nations, which appears to receive covert backing from Russia, signaling a shift in control over essential resources in Africa.
The military governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are undertaking significant measures to reduce foreign influence in their mining sectors, which includes halting operations of foreign companies and nationalizing key resources. This trend reflects a calculated strategy bolstered by Russian support, aiming to solidify local control over mineral wealth and reshape the economic landscape in the Sahel region.
Original Source: odessa-journal.com
