French prosecutors have launched a formal investigation into TotalEnergies over allegations of involuntary manslaughter and failure to assist persons in danger during a 2021 militant attack near its gas project in northern Mozambique.
The probe, announced by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office on Friday, follows a criminal complaint filed in October 2023 by survivors and relatives of victims who accuse the energy giant of neglecting security measures for its subcontractors during the assault in Palma. The attack, carried out by Islamic State-linked insurgents in March 2021, left dozens dead, including several who were reportedly beheaded and displaced thousands in Cabo Delgado province.
Among the complainants are seven British and South African nationals – three survivors and four relatives of victims – who allege that TotalEnergies failed to act despite clear risks and refused to supply fuel for helicopter rescues from a besieged hotel where civilians were trapped. At least 55 subcontractors working with Total are believed to have been killed or gone missing, according to journalist Alex Perry, who conducted a five-month investigation into the massacre. Mozambique’s government officially confirmed 30 deaths.
TotalEnergies, which suspended its $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project following the attack, has denied wrongdoing and pledged to fully cooperate with the judicial inquiry. “All staff and contractors were evacuated, mostly by sea,” the company said, insisting it had provided fuel for the rescue operations.
Lawyers representing the victims, Vincent Brengarth and Henri Thulliez, welcomed the investigation as a “decisive step” toward accountability, arguing the case illustrates the prioritization of economic interests over human lives. South African survivor Nicholas Alexander echoed their sentiment: “We feared Total was too powerful to face justice. This is a major development.”
The attack was part of a broader insurgency by a local group known as Al-Shabab (not linked to the Somali group of the same name), which has plagued Cabo Delgado since 2017. The violence prompted a regional military response, with troops from Rwanda and southern African nations helping Mozambique regain control of key areas.
Despite lingering security concerns and human rights allegations, TotalEnergies is pushing to revive the Mozambique LNG project. Earlier this week, the U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a $4.7 billion loan to support the development. Environmental and human rights organizations have condemned the move, calling the project a “climate bomb” and urging global financiers to reject further involvement.
