The frantic race for raw materials has brought nuclear power back into fashion. Uranium from Niger, the 4th largest producer in the world, only recently exploited by the French company Areva, has become a strategic stake coveted by various powers. Today, the exploitation of this ore has seriously polluted the sites. Despite Areva's claims, the town of Arlit, located near the openpit mines, is contaminated, causing cancer, lung or skin diseases among former miners and residents. If the majority of the population demonstrates its discontent peacefully, on the other hand groups of Tuaregs have taken up arms. Fearing that this movement would take on significant political weight, the government of Niamey cordoned off the area, prohibited access to journalists and prevented the Tuareg rebellion from obtaining an international platform. Several French and Nigerien journalists have been imprisoned for trying to circumvent this ban. For the first time, an onthespot investigation, among rebel Tuaregs, Nigeriens, experts and Areva, has lifted the veil on the truth.
Written and directed by Nahan Siby, Frédérique Denis and Stéphane Manier