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France's Total suspends Mozambique gas project over jihadist attacks

A March 24 jihadist raid on Palma in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province prompted Total to remove remaining staff from the natural gas site.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

French energy giant Total on Monday confirmed it is suspending work on a massive $20 billion gas project in northern Mozambique following the latest jihadist assault on a nearby town last month, reports FRANCE 24.

"Considering the evolution of the security situation... Total confirms the withdrawal of all Mozambique LNG [Liquefied Natural Gas] project personnel from the Afungi site," the company said in a statement.

Total added that it was declaring a "force majeure" situation beyond its control, a legal concept meaning it can suspend fulfilling contractual obligations.

A March 24 jihadist raid on Palma in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province prompted Total to remove remaining staff from the natural gas site.

It had already evacuated some workers and suspended construction in January following a series of jihadist attacks nearby.

Read more of this report from  FRANCE 24.