Military Governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Target Foreign Mining Competitors
Military governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso aim to eliminate foreign competitors in mining. Niger suspended operations of Chinese oil firms for regulatory violations amid sabotage incidents. These actions reflect a strategy potentially supported by Russia to enhance control over natural resources and influence.
Military governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are actively seeking to reduce foreign competition in the mining sector. In March, Niger’s government accused three Chinese oil companies—China National Petroleum Corp, Soraz Zinder Refining Company, and West African Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.—of violating local mining regulations, leading to the suspension of their operations. These companies were previously involved in a pipeline project exporting oil from Niger to Benin.
The accusations came amid a series of sabotage incidents affecting crude oil transport facilities, with a significant explosion occurring on March 12 in the Dosso region. The Nigerien government’s claims include allegations that the Chinese firms violated a military decree prioritizing resource allocation for the local populace. It is asserted that the companies adopted unfair wage practices, neglected local supplier quotas, failed to provide necessary training for Nigerien workers, and neglected technology transfer obligations.
In a similar pattern, Niger nationalized the uranium mine owned by France’s Orano SA earlier in 2024, while Mali’s authorities detained executives from Barrick Gold Corp. and confiscated gold from the Loulo-Gounkoto mine. These actions highlight a strategic effort by the military governments in the Sahel region, which appears to be covertly backed by Russia. This drive for control over natural resources aligns with broader Russian interests in enhancing its influence in Africa, potentially leading to the emergence of a “Russian peace, African style.”
The military governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are undertaking significant measures to diminish foreign competition in the mining sector, specifically targeting Chinese and Western companies. These initiatives reflect a broader strategy to consolidate control over valuable resources, which may also serve the geopolitical objectives of Russia in the region. The implications of these actions will likely resonate throughout the African continent as they reshape local economies and international relations.
Original Source: odessa-journal.com
