Blood on Total's Hands? Mozambique Massacre Sparks War Crimes Accusations.

**TotalEnergies Faces War Crimes Allegations Over Mozambique Massacre**

Blood on Total's Hands? Mozambique Massacre Sparks...

Paris, France – French energy giant TotalEnergies is facing serious allegations of complicity in war crimes related to a 2021 massacre near its multi-billion dollar gas project in northern Mozambique. A complaint filed with French prosecutors by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) accuses the company of enabling the torture and execution of dozens of civilians by local security forces guarding the Afungi peninsula gas refinery development.

The accusations stem from events following

The accusations stem from events following an attack by Islamist militants, linked to the Islamic State group, on the town of Palma in March 2021. The attack resulted in the deaths and kidnappings of over 1,500 civilians living near the TotalEnergies plant. According to investigative journalist Alex Perry, who first documented the death toll, the subsequent reprisal massacre occurred at the entrance to Total's compound.

Locals seeking refuge at the Total facility were reportedly accused of aiding the insurgents. Men were forcibly separated and detained in shipping containers, where they were allegedly tortured and executed by Mozambican forces providing security for the project. While the exact number of victims remains unclear, Perry estimates that at least 97 people were killed, with the true figure potentially double that.

TotalEnergies has consistently denied any responsibility for the actions of the Mozambican security forces. The company maintains that it was not involved in the alleged abuses and that its role was limited to providing security for its facilities. However, critics argue that TotalEnergies, operating in a conflict zone, had a responsibility to ensure the safety and human rights of the local population.

Clara Gonzales, the ECCHR's co-programme director

Clara Gonzales, the ECCHR's co-programme director for business and human rights, stated that companies operating in conflict zones are not neutral actors and should be held accountable if they enable or fuel crimes.

The project, once heralded as the biggest foreign investment in Africa, has been mired in controversy. Supporters argue that it could bring significant economic benefits to a neglected region. However, critics, including Friends of the Earth France, denounce it as an environmental, ethical, and financial disaster, linking TotalEnergies' actions to ongoing struggles in the region.

The allegations come as TotalEnergies recently announced the lifting of force majeure on the gas project, despite the continuing security and humanitarian concerns. The legal proceedings are expected to be lengthy and complex, raising questions about the responsibilities of multinational corporations operating in conflict zones and the potential for complicity in human rights abuses. The outcome could have significant implications for future foreign investment projects in conflict-affected areas.