Nijer’de Uranyum Çıkmazı: Yeni Sömürgecilik ve Çatışma
Uranium Paradox in Nijer: New Colonialism and Conflict

Summary/Abstract: Uranium, which is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors, has become one of the most important natural resources of the world by using the extraordinary heat released because of the chain reaction into electrical energy by means of steam. Currently, France meets seventy one per cent of its electricity needs from nuclear reactors and and it imports uranium from other countries due to insufficient domestic resources. Sixty per cent of the uranium imported by France comes from uranium deposits in Niger. Natural resources that shape the relations between France and Niger in particular uranium, it does not bring economic prosperity to Niger. However claiming political and economic rights by Tuaregs in the region create a security problem for Niger. This article aims to examine the problem of France and Tuaregs in Niger caused by the relationship between natural resources, colonialism and conflict. Examining the dynamics of the new colonialism and conflict based on natural resources regarding the case of Nijer is essential for understanding of this subject. This study carried out within the scope of descriptive research by adopting a qualitative method for studying this subject. As a result of this research work its obvious that the uranium resource owned by Niger caused a colonial and conflictual ties in the case of France and Tuaregs.

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