BREAKING: Niger in Crisis as Uranium Shipment Remains Stranded at Airport
The Republic of Niger is currently embroiled in a high-stakes Niger uranium crisis as a massive shipment of uranium concentrate, commonly known as “yellowcake,” remains immobilized at Niamey’s Base 101 military airport. This logistical stalemate has transformed from a simple transport delay into a severe international dilemma, pitting the nation’s military leadership against global legal frameworks and its former colonial partner, France.
The crisis began in late November 2024, when a convoy of dozens of trucks carrying approximately 1,000 to 1,500 metric tons of uranium departed from the SOMAÏR mine in Arlit. Valued at an estimated $310 million, the cargo was originally intended for export via a land corridor through Burkina Faso to the Port of Lomé in Togo. However, the collapse of the initial transit plan compounded by political instability and the closure of traditional routes through Benin has left the radioactive material sitting on the tarmac under heavy military guard.
The situation escalated significantly when General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the ruling junta, declared on state television that Niger would exercise its “legitimate right” to sell its natural riches to any interested buyer. This move is a direct challenge to the French nuclear giant Orano, which held a majority stake in the SOMAÏR mine for decades before the facility was nationalized by the junta in June 2025.
Orano has officially condemned the shipment as “illegal,” citing a September ruling by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) that explicitly prohibited Niger from transferring or selling the stockpiled uranium.
Beyond the legal battle, the “airlift scenario” has raised alarm bells in the international community. Moving such a vast quantity of uranium by air would require specialized heavy-lift aircraft and would likely bypass the stringent safety protocols and transparency requirements mandated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Experts warn that an unauthorized flight of radioactive material could trigger immediate international sanctions and be viewed as an act of proliferation.
The presence of the Russian bulk carrier Matros Shevchenko off the coast of West Africa has added another layer of complexity. While the vessel reportedly waited at the Port of Lomé for a cargo that never arrived, its proximity has fueled speculation about a potential deal between Niamey and Moscow. With Niger shifting its security and economic alliances away from the West and toward Russia and Iran, the stranded yellowcake has become a central bargaining chip in a broader geopolitical realignment.
As the standoff continues, the risks grow. The transport of radioactive material through unsecured corridors in the conflict-ridden Sahel region poses significant safety and security threats. For now, the world watches as Niger remains locked in a deadlock, balancing its pursuit of “resource sovereignty” against the threat of total diplomatic and economic isolation.