France's leading energy company, TotalEnergies, has issued a firm rebuttal to allegations of negligence and manslaughter made in connection with its actions during the 2021 insurgent attacks in Mozambique. The complaint lodged against the energy giant accuses it of failing to ensure the safety of subcontractors during the crisis.

The contentious events unfolded on March 24, 2021, as an insurgent attack struck the Cabo Delgado province, near the Mozambique LNG project situated in the Afungi region. This attack, attributed to the Islamic insurgent group Al-Shabaab, persisted for several days, leading TotalEnergies to declare force majeure and halt work on the Mozambique LNG project due to the deteriorating security situation in the region.

In response to these critical circumstances, TotalEnergies took a series of measures aimed at guaranteeing the safety and evacuation of its personnel, contractors, and subcontractors. Early in 2023, the company's CEO visited the affected area, culminating in the appointment of an expert in humanitarian action and human rights to assess the humanitarian situation.

The accusations leveled against TotalEnergies include allegations of negligence and indirect manslaughter, suggesting the company was insufficiently supportive during the terrorist attacks. TotalEnergies has categorically denied these charges, instead providing a comprehensive account of its extensive emergency assistance efforts and the resources mobilized to evacuate more than 2,500 individuals from the Afungi site.

The company underscored the implementation of measures, such as a well-defined evacuation plan, in compliance with emergency and security procedures. It supplied emergency aid, medical care, and vital resources to support the individuals located at the site entrance. Teams from Mozambique LNG, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, contributed by providing fuel for evacuation operations, while the site's hospital remained available for medical assistance.

Addressing allegations that TotalEnergies refused to supply fuel to a private security company named DAG, the energy giant clarified that this company had been contracted by the Mozambique government in 2020 to conduct offensive military security operations against terrorist groups in northern Mozambique. TotalEnergies expressed concerns regarding reported serious crimes against local people supposedly committed by DAG in 2020. Consequently, Mozambique LNG decided not to support DAG's offensive military operations but offered assistance in rescue operations conducted under the authority of government security forces.

TotalEnergies emphasized that the security situation in Cabo Delgado has notably improved since 2021, primarily thanks to the efforts of the Mozambique government, supported by the South African Development Community and Rwanda. The company monitors the security situation continuously, with audits confirming the region's enhanced security. The decision to resume the project hinges on the ability to complete it under secure conditions. All Mozambique LNG's partners share this stance, and current activities focus on enhancing security infrastructure and access roads.

Furthermore, TotalEnergies disclosed that Mozambique LNG is executing a substantial socio-economic program aimed at promoting local economic development, contributing to area stabilization, and supporting local communities. This initiative is part of the Pamoja Tunaweza program, a follow-up to the prompt humanitarian aid provided by Mozambique LNG in response to the Palma attacks, which included food distribution.

Mozambique LNG, initiated upon the discovery of substantial natural gas reserves off the northern Mozambique coast in 2010, involves a $20 billion investment for the development of the Golfinho and Atum fields, alongside the construction of two liquefaction trains. The project aims to meet energy needs across Atlantic, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, with commercial operations anticipated to commence around 2027 or 2028. It holds vast gas resources in Area 1, of which 18 Tcf will be developed with the first two trains.

TotalEnergies EP Mozambique Area 1 Limitada, a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies SE, operates the Mozambique LNG project with a 26.5% stake, in partnership with several other entities.