Today a coalition of 126 Mozambican and international civil society organisations (1) released a letter, sent last December to the 31 financial institutions (2) involved in the Mozambique LNG project. The letter includes critical new information on the risks associated with the project and outlines key demands.
The coalition specifically asks for financial institutions to support the call (3) for an urgent independent international investigation into an alleged massacre of civilians, reportedly committed near TotalEnergies’ Afungi premises between July and September 2021 by public security forces claiming to be in charge of protecting the gas site. The coalition emphasises the need for the investigation to be conducted by an international or regional intergovernmental human rights mechanism – such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The coalition further urges financiers to withdraw their commitments of support for the project and withhold support if the force majeure is lifted – a legal step required for the project to resume – until all facts and responsibilities are investigated, and the results of such an investigation made public.
By the deadline of 17th January, only 14 out of 31 financial institutions had responded – FirstRand, UKEF, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, JBIC, Standard Chartered, JOGMEC, Mizuho, MUFG, SMBC, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust, ABSA, Standard Bank and Atradius DSB. In their answers, most institutions noted receipt, and some such as UKEF, Standard Chartered and FirstRand, noted the concerns raised in the letter, but none so far indicated support for an independent international investigation. None of the 31 financial institutions has publicly spoken out about the alleged massacre and other reported human rights violations in connection with the Mozambique LNG project.
LNG operations taking place in a context of civil unrest, oppression and conflict
Since mid-October 2024, Mozambique has experienced “an unprecedented level of public protests on a daily basis” nation-wide, ignited by allegations of electoral fraud and the brutal assassinations of two senior opposition figures. (4) The response of state authorities is “marked by serious human rights violations, including murder, torture and enforced disappearances”. (5) By 15 January 2025, the total number of deaths was 303, with 619 people shot and 4,228 people detained since October 21st. Civil society organisations have appealed to the United Nations for intervention.
In addition to the civil unrest, the ongoing insurgency in Cabo Delgado remains active, and regional security remained precarious throughout 2024. (6) The drivers of the insurgency as well as those of the electoral demonstrations are the same, most critically the socio-economic welfare of the people in the region and Mozambique as a whole. As multiple expert analyses indicate, the key to resolving the insurgency is to address these drivers.
Anabela Lemos, with Justiça Ambiental! / Friends of the Earth Mozambique, warns: “This project carries an extensive spectrum of risks – specifically around human rights violations. Gas development has been shown to be a catalyst for making increased funds and resources available to a government that has been inflicting violence on citizens. Neither the Mozambican government nor TotalEnergies can be entrusted to solely conduct credible and objective investigations into alleged violations that they may have links to. Financiers – out of morality and justice – must re-examine not only their support to this project but also their commitment to human rights due diligence.” (Lemos is director of Justiça Ambiental! and a 2024 recipient of the Right Livelihoods award.)
Following the September 2024 Politico article, which reported on the alleged massacre of civilians, Mozambique’s Ministry of National Defence refuted the allegations made in the article. An internal analysis by Mozambique LNG concluded that no corroborating information was identified. In late December, the Mozambique Attorney General’s office was reported to have launched an investigation into the allegations, and to have held a hearing with Mozambique LNG director Maxime Rabilloud.
Dutch parliamentarians have raised concerns and underlined the importance of an independent investigation into the alleged massacre. However, a motion that was submitted on this last December is currently on hold, as the Dutch Parliament is awaiting a formal response (letter) by the Dutch Minister of Finance.
Kate DeAngelis, with Friends of the Earth U.S., says: “Governments through their export credit agencies and development finance institutions are providing key finance for the LNG development in northern Mozambique. The U.S. Export-Import Bank under the first Trump Administration approved almost $5 billion for Mozambique LNG. While Biden has not bowed to pressure from TotalEnergies‘ CEO Patrick Pouyanné and has not released the funds requested for the relaunch of Mozambique LNG during his mandate, it is likely that the second Trump Administration will ram through this finance despite the atrocities that have been committed. In this context, the other States involved in the project, including the Netherlands and the UK, have an even greater responsibility to stand up against Trump’s alliance with the fossil fuel industry.”
Resettlement violations remain unresolved
The letter to financial institutions provides detail on resettlement violations affecting hundreds of families that remain unresolved. Over 1,300 complaints have been received by local civil society organisation Justiça Ambiental. None of the financial institutions commented on these circumstances either.
At a recent meeting that was held to attempt resolution of some of the resettlement issues, a number of community members spoke out against a proposal that would deny them any opportunities to conduct their livelihoods – including growing food. Subsequently, ten community members were summoned to hearings with the police. Justiça Ambiental!, which provides support to communities affected by mega-projects, has noted this tactic being used in a number of other communities in the country to silence critical voices. Anabela Lemos says: “Intimidation has a far-reaching impact on the sense of safety of individuals when they participate in meetings and negotiations relating to their rights, and is especially menacing in the context of ongoing regional conflict.”
Financiers of Mozambique LNG urged to ensure justice for the people affected by the project and the alleged massacre
TotalEnergies has been approaching the financial supporters of this project in order to secure their renewed support in view of resuming operations. The coalition that sent the letter argues that financial support cannot and should not be renewed without a thorough reassessment of the project, including the recent allegations of links to severe human rights violations.
Lorette Philippot, with Friends of the Earth France, says: “Public and private financial institutions are opting for a strategy of complicit silence. Since they decided to support Mozambique LNG in mid-2020, long-identified risks turned into concrete impacts, repeated human tragedies occurred and were documented, and Total has consistently proved itself untrustworthy. These banks, and in particular Société Générale and Crédit Agricole in France, must realise that this silence will not protect them: they bear the responsibility of demanding that light be shed on these unbearable violences, to ensure justice and truth for the victims and the safety of survivors, families and witnesses.” Press release
