Finally! Official Scrutiny of TotalEnergies' Controversial Pipeline

Yesterday, May 23rd, Max Atuhura, a human rights and environmental defender, was heard by the French Senate Inquiry Commission over the alleged cases of intimidation to ensure TotalEnergies’ East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project succeeds.

This inquiry is huge, considering the many attempts to hold TotalEnergies accountable that have gone unheeded. Human rights groups, environmental watchdogs, and high-profile figures have criticized TotalEnergies over the manner in which this controversial project is being implemented. Despite these credible concerns, the French energy giant has largely ignored them and continued with the EACOP project. However, this controversial $5 billion project is now finally under the official scrutiny of the French Senate.

The French Senate is investigating the alleged threats and intimidation to EACOP-Project Affected People (PAPs), the Ugandan and Tanzanian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and activists opposed to the project.

Before this, the project had bulldozed its way in the face of damning reports from organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Global Witness and even ignored letters from United Nations experts like the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, who sought clarification on disturbing allegations, including intimidation, arbitrary arrests, assaults, and other abuses against residents and activists opposing the pipeline's construction.

As the hearing begins, Mémoire Vive and Friends of the Earth France have added a new module to their interactive investigative map. This public tool reveals that over a period of almost four years, there has been at least one instance each month in which intimidation is linked to Total's Tilenga and EACOP projects. The launch of this tool coincides perfectly with the ongoing inquiry at the French Senate.

This inquiry is important because, for the first time, a high-ranking French government official has been summoned (although it won't be open to the public) to answer allegations of the Embassy’s diplomatic support for Total’s projects, despite their devastating impacts and the repression they foster.

Ahead of TotalEnergies' AGM, shareholders must demand real answers and stop this controversial project.

While TotalEnergies has consistently denied any wrongdoing, this formal investigation by the French government has the potential to uncover the truth—shareholders deserve transparency regarding any unethical business practices that could jeopardize their investments.

The French Senate inquiry should serve as a wake-up call to address the increasing claims of abuse before it is too late.