Hundreds of metric tons of uranium are being loaded onto trucks crossing regions controlled by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. According to multiple French government sources, this high-risk operation is currently under consideration by Russian and Nigerien authorities. The Elysée has been informed, and the matter is raising concern among leaders in Paris.

French officials said they are convinced that a deal was recently reached for $170 million between the junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani and the Russian nuclear giant Rosatom for the acquisition of 1,000 metric tons of yellowcake (concentrated but unenriched uranium) produced by French nuclear group Orano at its former Arlit mine in northern Niger, where some 1,400 metric tons are stored.

According to a senior French security source, both parties are now working to set up a convoy of around 30 trucks to transport the uranium via Burkina Faso to the port of Lomé, Togo by the end of November. From there, it would be shipped to Russia by cargo vessel.

The source added that Nigerien military, customs and intelligence officials held talks in October with their Burkinabé and Togolese counterparts to secure their cooperation – an essential step for such a perilous convoy.

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