TotalEnergies Faces Allegations of Complicity in Mozambique Massacre

French energy company TotalEnergies faces allegations of complicity in war crimes over a 2021 massacre by Mozambican security forces near its gas project, which the company denies.

French energy company TotalEnergies is facing serious allegations of complicity in war crimes over a 2021 massacre near its multibillion-dollar gas project in northern Mozambique, allegations that the company has firmly denied.

A complaint filed with French prosecutors by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) claims that TotalEnergies was aware of violence carried out by Mozambican security forces, including the torture and execution of civilians held in shipping containers, yet continued to support the Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the area. The alleged abuses occurred in Cabo Delgado province, a region rich in natural resources and plagued by attacks from Islamist militants linked to the Islamic State group.

According to the ECCHR, internal documents indicate that TotalEnergies had knowledge of repeated reports of violence against civilians by the security forces from May 2020 onwards. Despite this, the company continued its operations and logistical support for the JTF, which played a central role in the government’s counter-insurgency efforts.

Environmental and human rights groups have urged governments backing the project, including the UK and the Netherlands, to reconsider their financial support, highlighting the potential complicity of international investors in human rights violations.

TotalEnergies, which operates one of the largest gas projects in Mozambique, has rejected the allegations, insisting that it operates in full compliance with legal and ethical standards and condemns all forms of violence.

Cabo Delgado has been the scene of sustained conflict over the past several years, with Islamist militants carrying out brutal attacks, including beheadings and mass killings. The province’s instability has also complicated the development of Mozambique’s gas resources, which are critical to the country’s economic growth.

The ECCHR’s complaint signals a growing trend of holding multinational corporations accountable for their operations in conflict zones, particularly where allegations of human rights abuses are involved. Legal proceedings in France could have wider implications for international energy companies operating in volatile regions.