EU foreign policy chief warns French energy giant over human rights abuses – POLITICO

TotalEnergies hired a Mozambican security unit to defend the facility despite warnings that some soldiers were committing human rights abuses. The energy company told POLITICO that it had “no knowledge of the alleged events described” or “any information indicating that such events occurred.”

Responding to written questions from members of the European Parliament, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday that he and the Commission had “taken note of the article” and noted “the alleged actions of the Mozambican army against civilians”.

He said EU legislation due to come into force in 2027 would make European companies accountable for the impact of their activities on human rights and the environment inside and outside Europe and require EU countries to “ensure that any victims receive compensation”.

“Therefore, TotalEnergies will have to comply with the directive if it decides to continue its operations in Cabo Delgado,” Borrell said.

directiveThe regulation, adopted in July, forces companies to protect the environment and human rights in their supply chains.

Alleged atrocities at TotalEnergies factory in Mozambique exposed sparked an outcry Among European lawmakers, many called for investigations and accountability.

In the UK, advocacy group Friends of the Earth has warned the government that a planned loan supporting a gas project would leave the country facing a legal challenge.

Mozambique’s defense ministry denied allegations that the military was involved in acts of torture and violence but expressed “full openness and willingness to accept a transparent and impartial investigation.”