Rebels 'demand' uranium share
21/07/2008 07:31  - (SA)  

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Rabat - Niger's Tuareg-led rebel movement chief said his Niger Justice Movement (MNJ), whose desert fighters had waged a rebellion against Niamey government troops, wanted up to 30% of uranium revenue to be allocated to the northern region populated mainly by Tuaregs.

"One of our demands is to set aside between 20% and 30% from the uranium earnings to benefit the population living in the north of Niger," Aghaly Ag Alambo told Al Jazeera television on Sunday.

"Every company doing uranium business in Niger has to do this, whether this company is foreign or local," Alambo added. He did not say how his group planned to force firms or the government satisfy the demand.

The MNJ wanted greater autonomy for the uranium-producing northern Agadez region and a bigger share of its mineral wealth for local people.

Encouraged by rising world prices, Niger hoped to become the world's number two uranium producer by 2011 thanks to new mines being opened by France's Areva and the China Nuclear International Uranium Corp. (Sino-U).

70 government troops killed

Many other foreign companies had been awarded licences to explore for uranium, gold, oil and other minerals in Niger.

Alambo said MNJ fighters had been gaining the upper hand in the fighting against Niger government troops.

"We are on the offensive. The army is in a defensive position. They can not attack us," he said. A supportive local population had it tips on troop movements and the movement had better knowledge of the desert and rugged mountainous areas.

Alambo said he expected more fighting in the coming months. At least 200 rebels and 70 government troops had been killed in more than a year of inconclusive fighting.

He blamed successive governments in Niamey for failing to come good on demands agreed by both sides in the 1990s.

Alambo also praised on the United States, suggesting that his movement was looking to Washington to help to put pressure on the Niamey government.

"The US is a friend, not an enemy. It backs democracy and supports the rights of minorities," he added.

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