Mozambique: CSOs call on 31 financial institutions to withdraw financial support for TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project; incl. cos. responses & non-responses
In December 2024, a coalition of 126 civil society organisations sent a letter to 31 financial institutions allegedly involved in TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project. The letter describes egregious human rights abuses linked to the project, including an alleged massacre of civilians and resettlement violations. The letter asks financial institutions to support the call of an urgent independent international investigation into the alleged massacre of civilians; and to withdraw their commitments of support for the project and withhold support if the force majeure is lifted until an investigation is complete.
We are urgently appealing for an immediate independent international investigation into the series of atrocities reportedly committed near the TotalEnergies Mozambique LNG Afungi premises by public security forces reportedly acting in the service of the company.Open letter by 126 civil society organisations to 31 financial institutions
The report emphasises human rights risks of operating the project amid an escalation of violent repression and ongoing insurgency in Cabo Delgada. The report highlights an article published by Politico in September 2024, describing an alleged massacre of civilians committed near TotalEnergies Afungi premises in 2021. The civilians sought protection from a government military unit after being caught in crossfire; they were then imprisoned in shipping containers by the unit, beaten, and killed. The unit was “operating out of TotalEnergies’ gatehouse” and the unit leader said his mission was to protect “the project of Total”. TotalEnergies said the company had never received any information regarding the events, and urged Mozambican authorities to take up the investigation.
The report also says TotalEnergies had provided resources to a ‘Joint Task Force’ (JTF) of the Mozambique army between 2020 – 2023 for security support, and that the company was aware JTF troops were accused of human rights violations. Files describing abuses committed by JTF troops were shared with Italian national development bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and “possibly other financial institutions”.
The report also highlights unresolved resettlement violations affecting ‘hundreds of families’. It highlights a lack of adequate compensation for families affected by resettlement, and ongoing pressures due to resettlement including “urgent” food security concerns. In November 2024, villagers protested the resettlement violations and lack of adequate compensation outside the project. TotalEnergies entered into negotiations with two of the communities, but there is allegedly “no indication” whether resolutions will be reached with all impacted communities.
For the communities affected, food security is an urgent concern. With machambas taken for the project and fishing access cut off or limited, families are producing and harvesting less food for home consumption and are also no longer earning income from sales. Regional insecurity limits safe access to fields and the coastline.Open letter by 126 civil society organisations to 31 financial institutions
In March 2025, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited all financiers named in the letter to respond to the letter, and to: a) disclose whether they have investigated the alleged human rights violations, including in relation to the ongoing community resettlement issues, and if so, to outline when this investigation was conducted and what the recommendations were for further action, remediation, ensuring violations are not repeated, or responsible exit; b) to outline what agreements they have with TotalEnergies to obligate the company to provide information regarding JTF human rights abuses to the financiers; and c) to disclose their human rights due diligence policies and integral governance mechanisms regarding the financing of projects or companies operating in conflict zones or situations of armed conflict, including specific conditions in loan agreements or covenants or in the banks’ policies that provide the opportunity to opt out of the agreement if the company is associated with human rights violations.
ABSA Bank; Atradius Dutch State Business (ADSB); Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP); Crédit Agricole; Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC); Export Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM); Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC); MUFG Bank; Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI); Rand Merchant Bank; Société Générale; Standard Bank; Standard Chartered Bank; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank; UK Export Finance (UKEF); and US International Development Finance Corp (DFC) responded.
African Development Bank (AfDB); African Export Import Bank; Development Bank of Southern Africa; Export Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM); Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Thai Exim); ICBC; Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa; JP Morgan; Korea Development Bank; Mizuho Bank; Nedbank; Nippon Life Insurance; SBI Shinsei Bank; and Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero (SACE) did not respond.
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre also invited TotalEnergies to respond. TotalEnergies' full response is included below.
Further reading
Mozambique: Politico alleges national forces operating out of TotalEnergies’ natural gas plant abducted, raped and killed dozens of civilians seeking protection during ISIS insurgency; incl. company response
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Mozambique: CSOs urge Intesa Sanpaolo not to fund Eni’s Coral North FLNG Project due to socio-environmental impacts; incl. company responses
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