Foreign Affairs, February 12, 2013

Sebastian Elischer

„After Mali Comes Niger. West Africa’s Problems Migrate East

[…] The outbreak of wider unrest in Niger could drag the West into a long-term military engagement in the Sahel region. France gets roughly three-quarters of its energy from uranium mined in northern Niger, near the city of Arlit. Unsurprisingly, France has already deployed soldiers to protect those resources, and China is said to have done the same at its uranium mine near Azalik. Niger is also an oil exporter, and production is expected to grow significantly in coming months. Rebel movements and Islamic militants are within reach of Niger’s mines and oil fields, which they could use to fund their rebellion. Further attacks on Nigerian and Algerian territory remain a distinct possibility. […]“

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138931/sebastian-elischer/after-mali-comes-niger

After Mali Comes Niger_Foreign Affairs