TotalEnergies Accused of War Crimes Complicity at Mozambique Gas Site

In a landmark legal move, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) has filed a formal complaint in France against TotalEnergies, accusing the French multinational energy giant of complicity in war crimes at its massive gas site in Mozambique’s conflict-ridden Cabo Delgado province.

At the heart of the case: evidence that civilians were tortured, detained, and killed by security forces linked to a joint task force (JTF) created to protect TotalEnergies’ $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

The legal filing, submitted to France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor, signals growing pressure on multinational corporations operating in conflict zones, and raises new questions about France’s role in backing regimes accused of abuses, including Paul Kagame’s Rwanda, whose troops are also deployed in Cabo Delgado to protect TotalEnergies' assets.

“Beaten, Tortured or Killed”: What Happened at the Gas Site?

Between July and September 2021, Mozambican soldiers attached to the JTF reportedly locked up to 250 civilians in shipping containers.

They were accused of “supporting jihadists” but had no due process.

According to investigative outlet Politico, most were tortured, beaten, and killed. Only 26 people survived.

The ECCHR states that TotalEnergies knew about these abuses, citing internal documents going back to May 2020, but chose to continue funding and supporting the task force anyway, prioritizing protection of infrastructure over the protection of human life.

“Companies and their executives are not neutral in conflict zones,” said ECCHR’s Clara Gonzales. “If they enable or fuel crimes, they might be complicit, and they must be held accountable.”

France, Rwanda, and the Gas Fields of Cabo Delgado

The complaint doesn’t mention Rwanda directly, but the full picture is damning:

Rwanda deployed thousands of troops to Mozambique in 2021 under a bilateral agreement to help “stabilize” the region.

Those forces were stationed in areas linked to TotalEnergies’ gas project.

Rwanda’s military was praised by France and TotalEnergies for its role in securing the project, even as reports of human rights violations mounted.

This creates a geopolitical triangle: France (Total), Mozambique’s military, and Rwanda’s troops, all united by a multi-billion-dollar gas project, and all potentially complicit in abuses.

Just like in eastern DRC, Rwanda is once again playing the role of regional military subcontractor, this time not for minerals, but for French energy interests.

A Pattern of Complicity — From Goma to Cabo Delgado

TotalEnergies isn’t new to controversy. Its operations in Myanmar, Uganda, and now Mozambique have drawn fire for prioritizing profit over human rights.

But what makes this case stand out is the scale of suffering, and the evidence trail showing that the company allegedly knew of abuses but continued its involvement.

Mozambican and international NGOs have even accused Total of “holding the country hostage”, demanding “ultra-favourable terms” before restarting operations, including forcing the state to cover $4.5 billion in cost overruns.

“Rwanda provides the soldiers. France provides the company. The people provide the bodies,” said one Mozambican activist. “This isn’t development. This is neo-colonialism with boots and balance sheets.”

Corporate Accountability Is No Longer Optional

The ECCHR’s complaint is more than symbolic. It could open the door to criminal investigations, financial sanctions, and international legal precedent, a warning shot to other multinationals that impunity will not stand.

It also connects directly to Rwanda’s growing militarized footprint across Africa, from DRC to Mozambique, where it trades "stability" for contracts, all while committing or enabling war crimes, shielded by Western silence.