Among the dead were 55 workers on Total’s project, according to a house-to-house survey carried out by POLITICO.
A Mozambican military unit operating out of the gatehouse of the site massacred at least 97 civilians in summer 2021, POLITICO reported last year.
British financial backing, in the form of taxpayer loans and guarantees for U.K. exporters and banks supporting the project, had been on hold after TotalEnergies invoked force majeure — a contract clause that allows firms to suspend obligations in the event of a disaster — after the security situation deteriorated in the region.
Referring to the massacre of civilians, the French energy giant has previously said it has “no knowledge of the alleged events … and has never received any information indicating that such events took place.”
Kyle confirmed today in a written statement that “after a detailed review, the U.K. government has decided to end UKEF’s participation in the project,” referencing the U.K.’s official export credit agency.
He added: “My officials have evaluated the risks around the project, and it is the view of His Majesty’s government that these risks have increased since 2020. This view is based on a comprehensive assessment of the project and the interests of U.K. taxpayers, which are best served by ending our participation in the project at this time.”