Posted on April 29, 2021
French energy giant Total has suspended its $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique indefinitely.
The company issued a statement on Monday declaring a “force majeure” following insurgent attacks last month.
Force majeure is a legal provision that allows parties to suspend or end contracts because of events that are beyond their control, such as wars or natural disasters.
Total confirmed that it has withdrawn all its staff from a nearby natural gas site after Islamic State-linked militants raided the town of Palma in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province in March.
“Considering the evolution of the security situation… Total confirms the withdrawal of all Mozambique LNG project personnel from the Afungi site,” the company said in a statement.
The gas-rich Cabo Delgado region has been facing a bloody jihadist insurgency for several years.
Security expert Jasmine Opperman says Total’s force majeure declaration is no surprise.
Opperman says Total’s move to employ workers and skilled labourers from outside the province may have worsened tensions in the region.
