TotalEnergies, the operator of the Mozambique LNG project, has established a dedicated website to publish its communications in response to a criminal complaint and media allegations linking the company to war crimes, torture, and disappearances in northern Mozambique.

Criminal Allegations and TotalEnergies' Rejection

A criminal complaint was filed in France by the non-profit ECCHR, accusing TotalEnergies of having "directly financed and materially supported" a Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising Mozambican armed forces. The JTF is alleged to have detained, tortured, and killed dozens of civilians in the Afungi area in the third quarter of 2021. TotalEnergies firmly rejects all accusations, stating it has not been formally served with the complaint and was not complicit in the alleged acts.

Context of the Alleged Events

The allegations are based on a Politico article from September 2024, which reported on the deaths of non-combatants near the Afungi site. These events are said to have occurred after the March 2021 terrorist attacks on Palma, claimed by Islamic State in Mozambique. TotalEnergies emphasizes that its personnel were evacuated from the site in early April 2021 and were not present during the period in question, when the Mozambican army had taken control of the area to restore security.

Dispute with Politico and Publication of Communications

TotalEnergies states it has categorically rejected Politico's implication that the company had, or could have had, any knowledge of the reported violence. The company claims its internal verifications and communications with stakeholders confirm it received no information about such acts at the time. TotalEnergies alleges that Politico repeatedly refused to share supporting evidence for its reporting and selectively used the company's detailed responses. In response, TotalEnergies has published the entirety of its exchanges with Politico on a dedicated website to allow stakeholders to see the questions, accusatory stance, and what it calls "selective cherry picking" for themselves.

Relationship with Security Forces and Human Rights Framework

Addressing the specific allegation of financing and supporting the JTF, TotalEnergies clarified that security in Mozambique is the responsibility of national authorities. The relationship with security forces was governed by an expired memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state and the project. This MoU aimed to support the logistical needs of the JTF for site protection and imposed strict human rights commitments, including:

• Training over 5000 personnel in the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
• Implementing a grievance mechanism.
• Establishing procedures for removal in the event of misconduct.

The company stated that incidents reported through this mechanism were documented transparently, and the grievances received did not substantiate the allegations made by Politico and ECCHR.

Ongoing Investigations and Independent Assessments

TotalEnergies has taken several steps in response to the allegations:

• In November 2024, Mozambique LNG formally requested Mozambican authorities to open an official investigation.
• In March 2025, Mozambique's Attorney General confirmed a criminal investigation had been launched, with Mozambique LNG fully cooperating.
• The company has also requested an independent investigation by the Mozambique National Human Rights Commission and is committed to publishing its report.

Furthermore, the company highlighted a prior independent assessment of the humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado, mandated in December 2022 and published in May 2023, with an action plan subsequently adopted by Mozambique LNG.