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French Court Wants More Information on TotalEnergies’ Responsibilities in Terrorist Attack

French Court Wants More Information on TotalEnergies’ Responsibilities in Terrorist Attack

The French courts have asked for additional information before ruling on a complaint against TotalEnergies for involuntary manslaughter and omission of aid during an extremist attack in northern Mozambique, the Nanterre Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday 6 May, as quoted by the Lusa news agency.

According to the agency, the case concerns a complaint filed by survivors and relatives of the victims of an attack by Islamic fundamentalists in Palma, Mozambique, in March 2021.

‘After hearing the arguments of TotalEnergies, which was carrying out a gas exploration megaproject in the region and is accused of a series of negligences, the court will decide whether to initiate proceedings, close the case or carry out new investigations,’ added the Nanterre Public Prosecutor’s Office, contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The victims, three survivors and four relatives of South African and British nationality, accuse the group (formerly Total) of failing to guarantee the safety of its subcontractors.

Contacted this Monday (6) by AFP, TotalEnergies referred to a press release issued in October 2023, when the complaint was filed.

‘The company wishes, on the one hand, to firmly reject these accusations and, on the other hand, to recall the emergency assistance that the Mozambique LNG teams (the project company) provided and the resources they mobilised to allow the removal of more than 2,500 people (civilians, employees, contractors and subcontractors) from the Afungi site.’

TotalEnergies

The attack in Palma, claimed by an African branch of the extremist group Islamic State (IS), began on 24 March 2021, lasted several days and, to date, has caused an unknown number of victims among the local population and TotalEnergies’ subcontractors.

The government has only indicated a death toll of around 30, but according to an independent journalist, Alexander Perry, the number of victims amounts to 1,402 civilians killed or missing, including 55 subcontractors.

The attack led to the suspension of the project, which represents a total investment of 20 billion dollars (1.2 trillion meticals).

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