Victims and their families are suing TotalEnergies for last year’s terror attack in Palma, Mozambique.
Some company employees are among over 1,000 dead or missing. On Monday, seven survivors and relatives revealed their legal action.
They accuse the French oil company of failing to keep subcontractors safe during the 2021 attack.
Independent journalist Alexander Perry reported 1,402 civilians dead or missing after investigating for five months.
He included 55 TotalEnergies subcontractors in this number. The lawsuit argues that the company did not assess risks properly.
This contradicts CEO Patrick Pouyanné’s previous public statements that safety is a priority. The case uses two risk reports as evidence, highlighting the absence of preventive actions.
In contrast, ExxonMobil pulled out of a similar project in 2019. The attack halted a project, freezing a $20 billion investment for Total.
The CEO recently announced plans to resume operations by the end of the year.
Environmental groups caution against resuming the project. They highlight significant risks to local communities, the environment, and Mozambique’s economy.
This lawsuit adds more reasons to reconsider the project’s future.
Background
This lawsuit comes at a crucial time for TotalEnergies. The company is eager to restart its stalled gas project, representing a massive $20 billion investment.
Historically, oil companies have faced various risks when operating in conflict zones.
However, the lawsuit’s claims could set a new legal precedent for corporate responsibilities in these areas.
In 2019, ExxonMobil withdrew from a similar venture, citing security risks. This adds another layer to the argument that TotalEnergies should have known better.
Also, Mozambique has been battling an Islamist insurgency since 2017, making the area volatile.
Many believe that companies like TotalEnergies should invest more in security measures.
The outcome of this lawsuit could serve as a wake-up call not only for TotalEnergies but also for other companies operating in high-risk regions.