Story perspectives

TotalEnergies Faces War Crimes Accusations Over Mozambique Project

11/18/2025

Summary

Story summary

A French court case accuses TotalEnergies of complicity in war crimes, torture, and disappearances linked to its Mozambique gas project.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights filed the complaint, alleging TotalEnergies supported Mozambican forces guarding the site.
The abuses occurred between July and September 2021 after a jihadist attack.
TotalEnergies denies knowledge of the events and faces a separate investigation for failing to assist during the attack.

History

Historical Context

The Cabo Delgado insurgency in Mozambique began in 2017, escalating with a 2021 attack on Palma, where TotalEnergies operated. Allegations arose that the company supported local forces implicated in human rights abuses. This situation parallels past corporate accountability issues, such as Shell's involvement in Nigeria during the 1990s, highlighting ongoing concerns about corporate complicity in conflict zones.

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Story summary

A French court case accuses TotalEnergies of complicity in war crimes, torture, and disappearances linked to its Mozambique gas project.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights filed the complaint, alleging TotalEnergies supported Mozambican forces guarding the site.
The abuses occurred between July and September 2021 after a jihadist attack.
TotalEnergies denies knowledge of the events and faces a separate investigation for failing to assist during the attack.

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