Abdourahamane Tchiani

Namibia
Niger woes prompt Orano to resume interest in Namibia's uranium

The French mining giant is considering restarting operations at its Trekkopje project in Namibia. This is due to the surge in uranium prices on the international markets and to it having been sidelined in Niger, its historic stronghold.

Niger
CNPC subsidiary hit hard by taxes

NIGER| The Niger bank accounts of Great Wall Drilling Co have been frozen since late January after tax authorities apparently spotted irregularities in the CNPC oil major's subsidiary.

Mali, Niger, Senegal
Qatari foreign minister to tour Sahel states

Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi is due to visit Niger, Mali and Senegal at some point next week, in an order that has yet to be defined.

Palace Intrigues
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Guillaume Soro, Alassane Ouattara

Intrigues big and small – every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Ivory CoastGuillaume Soro's old acquaintances in Gabon

GabonNguema kept in dark about World Bank arrears

SomaliaRabat mediates to keep coach Rachid Loustèque onside

Algeria
Algiers looking to renew military ties with Bamako and Niamey

While its relations with the Malian junta are at a standstill, Algeria is trying to restart its military cooperation with Burkina Faso and Niger.

Niger
Junta snubs European Union envoy

During his visit to the Nigerien capital on 27 to 30 January, the European Commission's DG ECHO head for West and Central Africa failed to set up talks with Abdourahamane Tchiani's government.

Niger, Senegal
Niamey, the blind spot in Dakar's bid to reconcile new Sahel bloc with ECOWAS

Senegal's president has been tasked with restoring links between the West African bloc and three junta-led states that spurned it to form the AES. His mission has taken him to Mali and Burkina Faso, but so far he has only initiated contact with Niger.

Niger
European Commission sends humanitarian envoy to restore relations with Niamey

In November, the European Union recalled its ambassador to Niamey against a backdrop of disagreement over humanitarian issues. However, Brussels is now seeking to calm relations with Niger.

Niger
Brussels repatriates its last Niamey-based soldiers

The four Belgian military personnel who were still working in Niger returned home in December. Brussels had maintained a small team in the country to provide security for its embassy.

Niger
Berlin prepares its return to Niamey

Almost a year and a half after ending its cooperation with Niger, Germany is about to resume its development aid. An agreement is due to be finalised in the next few days.

Niger
How Niger's Somair keeps running without Orano

Local managers at Société des Mines de l'Air have managed to keep it running after French parent company Orano cut the cord on 4 December. But with no uranium exports and no cash injection from shareholders, the company's future is far from certain.