Full Breakdown
TotalEnergies Faces Legal Action for Alleged Complicity in War Crimes in Mozambique
11/18/2025, 9:37:39 PM
Overview of the Allegations
TotalEnergies, a French multinational energy company, is facing a criminal complaint filed by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) in France, accusing the company of complicity in war crimes, torture, and enforced disappearances at its Mozambique LNG project site. The complaint, submitted to France's national anti-terrorism prosecutor on November 18, 2025, centers on alleged abuses committed by Mozambican soldiers between July and September 2021, during a period when the company had evacuated its personnel following a jihadist attack.
Details of the Complaint
The ECCHR claims that TotalEnergies was aware of the systematic human rights violations committed by the Mozambican armed forces, yet continued to support them to secure its gas facility. The complaint highlights that the soldiers, part of a joint task force (JTF) established to protect the gas site, were allegedly involved in acts of torture and enforced disappearances. Clara Gonzales, co-programme director for business and human rights at ECCHR, stated, "Companies and their executives are not neutral actors when they operate in conflict zones: if they enable or fuel crimes, they might be complicit and should be held accountable."
TotalEnergies' Position
TotalEnergies has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that it had no knowledge of the alleged events and that an internal review found no evidence to support the claims. The company has also stated that it requested an investigation by Mozambique's human rights commission and is cooperating with ongoing inquiries. CEO Patrick Pouyanne previously indicated that the company had lifted the force majeure status on the Mozambique LNG project, which had been in place since April 2021 due to security concerns.
Broader Implications
The allegations against TotalEnergies come amid ongoing scrutiny of the company's operations in Mozambique, where it holds a 26.5% stake in the LNG project. The project has faced significant delays and cost overruns, with TotalEnergies seeking approval from the Mozambican government for a revised budget that includes $4.5 billion in additional costs. Critics, including local NGOs, argue that the company is leveraging its position to impose "ultra-favorable" conditions on the government, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Criticism & Opposition
Human rights advocates and local organizations have expressed concern over TotalEnergies' actions and the potential consequences for local communities. Daniel Ribeiro from Justiça Ambiental emphasized that the local population has suffered repeated human rights violations without justice, stating, "This case is an important step toward justice, where the business interests of a company like TotalEnergies do not override the rights and lives of local people."
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While TotalEnergies maintains that it was unaware of any human rights abuses, the ECCHR's complaint is based on allegations that have been reported by various media outlets, including Politico. Investigations into the company's role in the events surrounding the 2021 jihadist attack are ongoing, and no charges have yet been filed against TotalEnergies in relation to these allegations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “TotalEnergies knew that the Mozambican armed forces had been accused of systematic human rights violations, yet continued to support them with the only objective to secure its own facility” — Clara Gonzales, ECCHR
- “The involvement of TotalEnergies with local armed forces and the gravity of allegations ought to lead to the opening of an investigation by French judicial authorities. Companies and their executives are not neutral actors when they operate in conflict zones: if they enable or fuel crimes, they might be complicit and should be held accountable.” — Clara Gonzales, ECCHR
The outcome of the complaint and ongoing investigations may have significant implications for TotalEnergies and its operations in Mozambique, as well as for the broader discourse on corporate responsibility in conflict zones.
