French energy giant TotalEnergies is facing serious allegations of involvement in war crimes in Mozambique, following claims that the company may have been complicit in a massacre carried out near its multi-billion-dollar gas operations in the country’s troubled Cabo Delgado province.
Human rights lawyers and advocacy groups have accused Total of failing to protect civilians and potentially benefiting from security operations linked to the killings. The allegations are connected to a violent incident in the region where dozens of civilians were reportedly killed amid ongoing conflict between insurgent groups and security forces.
Total, which suspended its massive LNG project in Cabo Delgado in 2021 due to escalating violence, has long insisted that it had no role in military operations and denies any wrongdoing. The company says it is reviewing the claims and maintains that it adheres to strict human rights standards in all its operations.
The case adds renewed scrutiny to foreign companies operating in conflict zones and raises questions about corporate responsibility in areas affected by insurgency and state-backed security operations.
More details are expected as legal teams push for formal investigations into the alleged abuses.
