Niger’s military government has announced the nationalisation of the country’s sole industrial gold mine, accusing its Australian operator of “serious breaches” as the junta seeks greater control of natural resources.

The military junta has ruled the West African nation since seizing power in a 2023 coup, promising to crack down on Niger’s myriad security issues.

Juntas in Niger, neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali have ramped up pressure on foreign mining companies in recent years, with Niger nationalising the local branch of French uranium giant Orano in June.

  • RaivoKulli@sopuli.xyz
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    4 days ago

    I don’t think the apprehension about military rule is just a Western thing.

    has an evil track record used to justify coups

    I mean they came to power through a coup

    • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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      3 days ago

      The refusal to actually look into the underlying social forces and class struggle on the ground in Niger leading to the nationalization of their gold mine is deeply western, and parroting the narrative uncritically is western.

      Yes, the current government came to power through a coup, one against the pro-imperialist comprador that was doing the exact thing you accuse the new government of doing. The new gov is widely loved by its people, similar to Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso.

      You’re just posturing and finger-wagging people working to directly combat the serious problem of western imperialism forcing under-development of Africa.