France rightly prides itself for his new victory, a performance which allowed France to sign a very tempting contract with China for the provision of two EPR nuclear reactors . In September it was with Libya that the nuclear giant Areva windy prowess by promising substantial profits for the benefit of France. But for us, Tuaregs in northern Niger, on every turn of this implacable turmoil, it’s more cold sweat.

A few months ago I said this:

“Today, the Tuareg are concerned about an all-out distribution of uranium search and exploitation permits in their territories without being seen any compensatory measure aimed at mitigating the consequences. The involved tribes must leave the area in search of hypothetical territories for settlement and nomadisation. The exploited resources are used by the state in order to overcome them, control and reduce them to the status of refugees in their own country. This unfortunately fatal routing, because of the geopolitical logic and interests of each other, will cut humanity of a single element of its wealth, the Tuareg culture, a culture based on a moral code of conduct imposed on everyone with the prospect of facing the conditions of an austere and rudimentary Saharan life . _The situation is even more complicated when operating permits were allocated to countries like China which, unfortunately, has no policy of respect for local communities and the environment even less constituting their living environment. Their methods”the smell of money" works great with the rulers of this world. It is in this infernal logic that an armed conflict broke out in northern Niger with the creation of a movement of Nigerians for Justice. From the depths of their desert its leaders are struggling to be heard, alerting the world and try to denounce this situation to save what can be.

Facing them, a Niger state who decides to destroy them, creates the conditions for an unprecedented confrontation and refuses any suggestion of dialogue. The individual liberties are confiscated, the debate is forbidden, international radio stations are suspended, the independent newspapers were threatened and some closed. The Touareg region is declared in a state of emergency and the army arrogates itself the right to imprison, torture and kill if necessary without any form of trial. The international community is silent about this situation contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The scheme who emerge becomes very disturbing and extremely serious. Indeed, the northern part of Niger is full of impressive mineral resources, including oil and uranium. People scattered in the desert are now perceived as a real obstacle in the context of the massive exploitation of this manna.

Nuclear energy in his meteoric ascent as clean energy becomes more than ever a global challenge. In the same way, the gradual rise in the price of oil per barrel make Niger economically interesting. What could represents a handful of nomads totally absent of the world economic system to such challenges? The great powers of this planet will let the dictator “clean the place” so that they can work on a “clean energy in a clean environment (cleared of all these populations).” The game is played, the government of Niger and foreign powers saved their ass "

Three months later it is an inexorably confirmed scenario. We knows perfectly the back consequences arising from both operating license granted forty years ago to France for the extraction of uranium in in Arlit and Akokan (see review Criraad and Sherpa). The nomad population in this space was forced to leave in other lands. Wildlife has completely disappeared. The aquifers are polluted. The population is facing serious public health problems.

This year, the state of Niger has distibuted 122 uranium operating licenses. By superimposing the map of northern Niger and the geographic limits of the concessions, we realize the comming catastrophe: Groundwater Pollution, destruction of pasture air, farmers land dispossession, water wells destructions, disruption of the pastoralists management.

- What about the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted in September at the UN? Do our world has the right to silence the destruction of an entire people whose original crime would be to inhabit a once wasteland Sahara but becaming immensely rich?
- Do you really want the Tuareg people to disappear forever if that allowed your economy to still be doing well?
- Do you accept to participate in the policy of your country in the death of innocent people under the pretext that it allows you to illuminate your houses and cook on hotplates.

The Tuaregs have no choice but to fight or disappear. A very painful choices that led them to take up arms and risk their lives. The Nigerian army, which has material support from France, China and the United States, has launched an offensive on the Aïr to reduce us to silence. Our men try to contain them with much less equipment. The army has managed to resupply the barracks of Iferouane placed under embargo by the MNJ’s troops since last August 25, but it would not change the facts. We are determined to defend our land because it is a question of existence. Determined and together, we will be able to prevent all those companies to set up here without our consent.

Once again material wealth and human value are blatantly chalenged.

The reality is there, no need to hide it.

Issouf Ag MAHA Mayor of Tchirozérine, Agadez, Niger