Nuclear weapons use the energy generated by nuclear fission or fusion to create destructive explosions.

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01
The Demands of the Kidnappers
Empty Promises
False Diagnoses
Unsuccessful Resistance

Digging for Broken Promises

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Niger, Sahel. Summer 2008.

W... what do you want from me? I'm just an employee, nothing more!

Get down!
Come on!

Come on, just like we told you!

A... alright: "30 instead of only 5 percent! The 'Mouvement des Nigériens pour la justice' ...

... demands a higher share of Niger's profits from uranium exploitation ...

... Furthermore: Free medical care for all and consistent environmental protection!”

I felt sorry for the guy, but we had been given no choice ...

... When I think about my father and my brother, I still cry ...

… The two of them worked themselves to death in the mine. Literally!

Since 1968, former colonial power France has been mining uranium in Niger for its own nuclear power plants.
The state-owned nuclear corporation AREVA operates two huge mines in the Tuareg area.
Two cities were built especially for the local workforce.
With company-owned homes, schools, and hospitals. The Tuareg were promised the “Paris in the Sahara.”
However, to this day, there are neither paved roads nor sufficient water supply.

... My brother ...

... and my father ...

... got sick almost at the same time!
The lungs! Both had difficulty breathing ...

Eat your soup, father. You need it to regain your strength!

A little later, in AREVA’s hospital.

Probably malaria. Both of them.

Are you sure it's not related to working in the mine?

Radiation for example?

Radiation? Impossible! We've never had that in 40 years!

The Tuareg complaints go unheard for a long time. Only when former employees die in France does the company AREVA react.

A week after my father, my brother also died ...

… I was sad. But also angry,
because no one wanted to take responsibility.

Someone has to do something about the mine.

We are from the “Mouvement des Nigériens pour la justice.”

If you agree with us, we could use your help.

Are you with us, kid?

Come on, just like we told you!

Y... Yes, well: "30 instead of only 5 percent! ...

... ‘Mouvement des Nigériens pour la justice’ ...

... demands a higher share of Niger's profits from uranium exploitation."

Oh no, please don't!

I did what you wanted after all!

We then let the poor guy go.

Our demands for more environmental protection, medical care, and greater profit sharing were never met.

The “Mouvement des Nigériens pour la justice” disbanded two years later.
01
01
Dig­ging for Bro­ken Pro­mi­ses
02
02
The World on the Brink of Nu­cle­ar War
03
03
Pa­ra­di­se Lost
04
04
Suf­fe­ring in Si­lence
05
05
"Ro­cket Man"
01
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Digging for Broken Promises

01 Niger

Digging for Broken Promises

The World on the Brink of Nuclear War

02 Cuba

The World on the Brink of Nuclear War

Paradise Lost

03 Bikini Atoll

Paradise Lost

Suffering in Silence

04 Chernobyl

Suffering in Silence

"Rocket Man"

05 North Korea

"Rocket Man"

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