Orano Takes Legal Action Over Arbitrary Detention of One of Its Staff in Niger
PARIS, May 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:
The management of Orano has still received no information regarding the director of Orano Mining Niger, after the Nigerien security services raided the offices of its subsidiaries SOMAÏR, COMINAK, IMOURAREN SA and Orano Mining in Niamey on Monday, May 5th.
During this intrusion in the premises, electronic devices and cellphones belonging to all staff were seized and the managing directors of these subsidiaries were held and interrogated in their offices.
Following this operation, the director of Orano Mining Niger is reported to have been taken to the headquarters of the Nigerien General Directorate of External Documentation and Surveillance (Direction Générale de la Documentation et de la Sécurité Extérieure, DGDSE). Following this arbitrary, extra-judicial arrest, it has proven impossible to establish any communication with him and the police is still preventing access to subsidiary offices at Niamey.
Orano deplores this intervention, for which no legal basis nor reason has been offered, and has therefore decided to file a suit with the courts of the Republic of Niger for arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and unjust confiscation of the property of Nigerien companies, subsidiaries of Orano and the State of Niger itself.
The Group once again expresses its deep concern at this situation and is doing everything it can to support its arrested colleague and the teams affected. Orano's top priority remains the security of all of its staff.
For the record, last December, Orano observed that it had lost control of subsidiaries in Niger, and opened several international arbitration proceedings against the State of Niger.
About OranoAs a leading international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 17,500 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow.
Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250513036045/en/
Contacts
Press Office +33 (0)1 34 96 12 15press@orano.group
Investor relations Marc Quesnoyinvestors@orano.group
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
U.S. Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence
A top United States military general warned Thursday that terror groups in Africa are ramping up their ability to conduct attacks in the U.S. Gen. Michael Langley, the four-star Marine General who leads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the Sahel region of the continent is now the "flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe." Several terror groups have expanded drastically in the last three years. Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is three times the size it was in 2022, he said, and has spread across Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger, which the U.S. military pulled out of last year. Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a faction affiliated with Al-Qaeda, is now four times the size it was in 2022, expanding mainly in Burkina Faso. "We're keeping a good eye on this because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland," Langley said in a call with reporters. "Throughout my travels across West Africa and through dialog here at the conference, the concerns shared by my peers match my own," he added. "One of the terrorist's key goals now is access to the west coast of Africa. If they gain access to the vast coastline, they can diversify their revenue streams and evolve their tactics, more easily exporting terrorism to American shores." He noted that the terror groups engage in illicit activity like smuggling, human trafficking and arms trading, which fund their nefarious actions and destabilize the region. U.S. forces over the weekend conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab in Somalia. The East African country has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab. The U.S. is in a race with China and Russia to gain influence and trust with the local governments of several African nations to help protect citizens from terror groups. Langley said there is an increasing concern about the number of African soldiers going to Beijing for military training and replicating a U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. "They're trying to replicate what we do best in our IMET program," said Langley. "And then they also said they're going to increase security and training in a number of countries. So, they're trying to replicate what we do."

Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Associated Press
Former Congolese leader Kabila meets with religious leaders in rebel-controlled city
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila, who is accused by the government of supporting Rwanda-backed rebels in the country's conflict-battered east, on Thursday met with top religious leaders in the rebel-controlled city of Goma. During the meeting — his first public engagement since Congolese authorities lifted his immunity amid a treason probe - Kabila expressed his desire to help achieve peace in the troubled region, according to one of the religious leaders. 'The former president called us to express his wish to see peace return,' Joel Amurani, senior bishop and president of the Religious Denominations Platform, said after the meeting. 'We told him to play the role of referee. For 18 years, he has worked for the unity of this country, and he still possesses this talent to contribute to the return of peace,' Amurani added. Kabila, who led Congo from 2001 to 2019, is accused by the government of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that have seized two major cities in the country's east. He had been in self-imposed exile since 2023 until April when he arrived in the key city of Goma in the east. Among his alleged crimes include 'treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity and participation in an insurrectional movement' in the country's east, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has said. The Congolese government has not spoken publicly about any plans to charge Kabila for the alleged crimes. However, the senate last week voted to grant the government's request and lift his lifetime immunity because of his honorific title as senator for life. Congolese political analyst Hubert Masomeko described the current political situation as a 'dangerous standoff' between the Congolese government and Kabila. 'Kabila's arrival in Goma is a political counteroffensive in retaliation for the measures taken by Kinshasa,' Masomeko added.


Forbes
8 hours ago
- Forbes
HustleSasa's Reflections From NBA Africa's Triple-Double Accelerator, And The Road Ahead
HustleSasa Is A Pan African Commerce & Ticketing Platform for Sports & Entertainment In September, HustleSasa achieved a significant milestone by placing third in NBA Africa's inaugural Triple-Double Accelerator Program. This accomplishment was just one of many highlights for the company this year. Since then, HustleSasa has continued its upward trajectory, closing 2024 with over $4.5 million in transactions, more than 400,000 tickets issued, and over 1,800 live events powered. The platform has reached more than 150,000 unique buyers across the continent, accumulated 10 million+ page views, and provided over $200,000 in cash advances to event organisers. Clearly, HustleSasa is demonstrating the scale and demand for tech-enabled solutions within Africa's live entertainment economy. At its core, HustleSasa is driven by a team that merges expertise in infrastructure with a deep understanding of culture. Co-founder and CTO Michael Denuh is a seasoned full-stack developer with more than a decade of experience, having worked with companies like Echohouse, Jetstream, and Circa Tech. Co-founder and CEO Peng Chen is an entrepreneur educated at Wharton, with experience leading initiatives at Rocket Internet, Innosight, and the renowned creative space The Alchemist. The founding team also includes Sauti Sol, Grammy-winning musicians and entrepreneurs who bring valuable industry insight through their ventures such as Sauti Sol Entertainment and Sol Generation Records. In an interview with co-founders Michael Denuh and Peng Chen shared their insights from the Triple-Double Accelerator, their vision for HustleSasa's future growth, and how the program has helped them strengthen connections within Africa's creative and sports ecosystems. Together, they are building more than just a ticketing platform; they are creating a Pan-African engine for live entertainment that connects fans, empowers creators, and fuels the continent's creative economy from the ground up. 'For us, it has always been our goal to be Pan-African,' says co-founder Peng Chen. 'Culture and sports are two of the most powerful ways to expand into new markets; they are really two sides of the same coin. The NBA has done remarkable work across the continent, and participating in the Accelerator allowed us to connect with that ecosystem.' KIGALI, Rwanda - MAY 25: Obadiah Noel #1 of Armee Patriotique shoots a three point basket during ... More the game against the Nairobi City Thunder during the Nile Conference group play on May 25, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Theo Kine/NBAE via Getty Images) This vision is now central to HustleSasa's growth. With strong ties to the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the platform collaborates closely with DJs, event curators, and creatives associated with the league, including official partners. 'We're working with BAL-affiliated talent, DJs, event curators, and more. These relationships enhance and elevate each other.' This ecosystem-first approach is exactly what the Accelerator promotes: not just building companies but also fostering structural growth across Africa's creative and sporting industries. HustleSasa is making significant strides, integrating itself into the cultural landscape while scaling for a continental impact. The Triple-Double Accelerator provided more than just funding; it offered the opportunity to connect with some of the continent's most innovative thinkers. Co-founder Peng reflects, 'One of the most valuable takeaways was seeing what others are building across Africa. From digital platforms to AI and physical products, we realised that we're part of a much larger ecosystem, and no one is building this alone.' From left: NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, Maged Farrag (UBR VR), ... More Peng Chen (HustleSasa), Yewande Akinse (Salubata), Folayemi Agusto (Festival Coins) and NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi at the first 'NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator' Demo Day at NBA headquarters in New York. Among the fellow innovators were Festival Coins from Nigeria, creators of Tix Africa, a no-code event platform operating in Nigeria and Ghana; Salubata, a Nigerian startup that transforms plastic waste into modular shoes; and UBR VR, pioneers of immersive virtual reality experiences in Egypt. Also included was HustleSasa from Kenya, which provides a comprehensive suite of live event services, ranging from ticketing to influencer tracking. This aligns with the same challenges that Peng and Michael aimed to address. What united this cohort was a shared focus on infrastructure, data, and scalability. 'There were so many analytics-driven companies,' Peng adds. 'This highlighted that Africans are now building with data at the forefront, and that's changing how we all think about scale.' HustleSasa helps facilitate the ticketing for Strictly Soul, which hosts the biggest R&B party ... More across Africa While ticketing remains their primary focus, the co-founders are pursuing a broader vision of creating a vertically integrated platform that encompasses ticketing, financing, logistics, and ownership. "What really changed our mindset was realising the importance of being fully vertical," Peng explains. "While people come to us for ticketing, they soon need assistance with financing, promoters, logistics, and that's just the beginning." This strategy came to fruition with one of their most significant post-accelerator milestones, the East Side Tour, a regional concert series featuring artists from Mavin Records, the Nigerian powerhouse recently acquired by Universal Music Group in a deal valued in the tens of millions of dollars. "We were able to take some artists from Mavin Records across three countries in one weekend," Denuh shares. 'There was a show on Friday night in Nairobi, Saturday night in Kampala, and Sunday night in Dar es Salaam. We organised the entire trip, from start to finish, with our partners.' More than just a tour, the East Side Tour served as a blueprint for regional touring in Africa, a replicable, scalable model that can be adapted for other regions and genres. It demonstrated what is possible when creators have access to a reliable Pan-African operations partner. Now, the company is expanding further into sports asset ownership. With the launch of ANZA MMA, they will host Kenya's first licensed amateur MMA event this June. Sanctioned by the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation, ANZA MMA will be the first licensed platform for both amateur and professional MMA in the country. "We don't just want to own ticketing," Peng says. "We want to own our own sports assets as well." DIAMNIADIO, SENEGAL - APRIL 24: A view of the BAL Logo during the game between ASC Ville de Dakar ... More and U.S. Monastir during the Sahara Conference Group on April 24, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadia, Senegal. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images) NBA Africa's involvement has not diminished since the launch of the accelerator; in fact, it has intensified. Recently, HustleSasa was invited to present at the BAL Innovation Summit, the league's premier event that brings together leaders in sports, policy, investment, and culture. 'There has been ongoing feedback and communication,' the team explains. 'We met with the NBA offices in Kenya, and later we were invited to present at the BAL Innovation Summit. This demonstrates their commitment to showcasing the talent and potential within Africa's startup sector.' This invitation signals alignment with a larger vision: to build long-term, interconnected ecosystems across the continent. Through these continuous engagements, the team is gaining strategic visibility and connecting with a network of supporters who recognise the powerful intersection of sports, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and policy. HustleSasa is preparing for its next major leap: the launch of a Pan-African marketplace app that will allow consumers across the continent to purchase tickets seamlessly, regardless of geography or currency. At the same time, the team is expanding operations into South Africa, one of Africa's most influential creative and cultural hubs. 'When you work with top-tier event creators in one market, the next step is helping them grow across borders and to do that, we can't just be a ticketing platform. We need to be their strategic partner, offering finance, ops, and scale," says Peng. "So we're super excited to help tie in that web, if you will, and help kind of lead that around the continent.' This vision reflects a broader trend in how African startups are evolving. HustleSasa's transformation from a Nairobi-based ticketing tool to a continental infrastructure platform signifies a deeper mission: to build systems, not just services. With every event they support, Peng and Michael are not only facilitating experiences but also laying the groundwork for a more connected, investable, and creator-led future.