Military governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are targeting foreign mining competitors to enhance local control over resources. Recent actions include halting Chinese oil companies’ operations for regulatory violations, nationalizing uranium mines, and detaining mining executives in Mali. These developments reflect a strategy supported by Russia to strengthen resource management in the Sahel region.
Military leaders in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are increasingly targeting foreign competitors in their mining sectors. In March, Niger’s government accused three Chinese oil companies of breaching national mining regulations, which led to a halt in their operations. These companies included China National Petroleum Corp, Soraz Zinder Refining Company, and West African Gas Pipeline Company Ltd., all of which had established a pipeline for oil exports from Niger to Benin.
The allegations against these firms were prompted by several acts of sabotage, including a significant explosion on March 12 at a crude oil transportation facility in the Dosso region. Niger’s government stated that the Chinese firms had contravened a military decree aimed at ensuring resources primarily benefit the local populace. Specific violations included unfair wage practices, noncompliance with local supplier quotas, lack of local training initiatives, and failure to transfer technology to Nigerien workers.
In a broader trend, Niger nationalized the Orano SA uranium mine earlier in 2024, while in Mali, government officials detained executives from Barrick Gold Corp. and confiscated gold from their Loulo-Gounkoto mine. These actions illustrate a coordinated strategy among the military governments across the Sahel region, which appears to receive covert backing from Russia. This shift highlights Russia’s interest in increasing control over resource management within Africa, possibly under the guise of advocating for a “Russian peace, African style.”
In summary, the military governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are actively seeking to diminish foreign influence in the mining industry. By targeting Chinese firms and other foreign companies, they aim to secure resource control for local benefit. This trend, combined with nationalizations and detentions, suggests a concerted effort to reshape the resource landscape in the Sahel, potentially with Russian support, indicating a shift in geopolitical interests within the region.
Original Source: odessa-journal.com
