French energy giant TotalEnergies is facing serious war-crimes allegations over a brutal 2021 massacre near its multi-billion-dollar gas development on Mozambique’s northern coast — accusations the company strongly denies.
A complaint submitted to French prosecutors by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) claims TotalEnergies was complicit as local security forces tortured and killed dozens of civilians held inside shipping containers at the company’s Afungi project site.
Although TotalEnergies has repeatedly distanced itself from the actions of Mozambican troops guarding the Afungi peninsula, human rights investigators argue that corporations operating in conflict zones cannot ignore abuses committed in their shadow.
Clara Gonzales, ECCHR’s co-director for business and human rights, said companies that enable or benefit from such crimes must be held accountable.
The violence unfolded in Cabo Delgado province, where government forces have battled Islamic State-linked insurgents known for gruesome killings, including beheadings. In March 2021, militants stormed the coastal town of Palma near Total’s gas plant, killing or abducting more than 1,500 residents, according to investigative journalist Alex Perry.
Perry, who first exposed the massacre for Politico in 2024, described the events as “the bloodiest disaster in oil and gas history”. He documented how civilians fleeing the insurgents sought refuge at Total’s compound but were instead detained by Mozambican forces, separated, locked in shipping containers, and later executed. Perry confirmed 97 deaths, though he believes the real toll may be twice as high.
Despite repeated inquiries, TotalEnergies has not publicly acknowledged the incident. The BBC has requested comment from the company.
The UK initially backed the massive LNG project through financial guarantees but suspended support after the Palma killings. Now, environmental groups are calling on Britain and the Netherlands to cut ties permanently, arguing the allegations constitute a clear “red line”.
Critics also point to troubling parallels with the case of French cement giant Lafarge, which is on trial in France over claims it financed extremist groups in Syria to keep its operations running.
Meanwhile, TotalEnergies has recently moved to restart the gas project, lifting force majeure despite persistent insecurity and humanitarian concerns in Cabo Delgado. Environmental groups say this shows the company has “learned nothing” from past events, while supporters argue that the project could still transform one of Africa’s most underserved regions.