A French energy company, TotalEnergies, is facing allegations of complicity in war crimes related to an incident in northern Mozambique in 2021. These accusations stem from a complaint filed with French prosecutors by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR). TotalEnergies denies these allegations.
The complaint alleges TotalEnergies' complicity in war crimes, including the torture and execution of dozens of civilians. These actions were reportedly carried out by local security forces near the company's multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) project on the Afungi peninsula. Civilians were reportedly held in shipping containers at a facility associated with the project.
TotalEnergies has consistently denied responsibility for the conduct of government troops and related security forces tasked with guarding the Afungi peninsula development. At the time, this project represented the largest foreign investment in Africa.
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."
The alleged massacre by Mozambican forces occurred in Cabo Delgado province. This region has experienced conflict involving government troops and Islamist militants, some linked to the Islamic State group. In March 2021, Islamist groups attacked the town of Palma, which resulted in the killing or kidnapping of 1,563 civilians residing near TotalEnergies' gas plant.
Investigative journalist Alex Perry documented the Palma death toll and a subsequent reprisal massacre near the entrance to TotalEnergies' compound in a 2024 report for Politico. Perry identified 97 victims from the reprisal incident and estimated the actual figure could be higher. Individuals seeking assistance from forces at the Total facility were accused of aiding insurgents, separated by force, held in shipping containers, and subsequently killed.
The British government initially provided financial guarantees for UK companies participating in the Mozambique project. Following the events in Palma, Britain suspended its support. Environmental campaigners are now urging the British government to permanently withdraw its involvement, citing the gravity of the allegations against TotalEnergies as a critical factor for the project's financial backers.