Total Energies, the French energy giant, recently announced the launch of a land acquisition review for its controversial $10 billion projects in Uganda and Tanzania. This announcement sparked strong reactions from environmentalists and environmental defenders.
Total Energies’ Tilenga project involves exploiting oil under the Murchison Falls Nature Reserve in western Uganda with the construction of 419 wells. This initiative worries opponents of the projects, who fear the devastating consequences on the fragile ecosystem of the region and on local populations.
Total Energies, which works in collaboration with Chinese oil company CNOOC, plans to relocate 775 primary residences and impact a total of 18,800 people, landowners and land users, according to its website.
However, Human Rights Watch called in July for a halt to the projects, saying in a report that they had already “devastated the livelihoods of thousands of people in Uganda.” The organization says more than 100,000 people would potentially be displaced by oil exploitation.
Faced with this context, four environmental groups filed a criminal complaint against Total Energies in France, citing reasons linked to the environment and climate.
To evaluate the land acquisition procedures, the conditions of consultation, compensation and relocation of the populations concerned, as well as the complaints handling mechanism, Total Energies announced that it had appointed Lionel Zinsou, former Prime Minister of Benin, as Head of Mission. Zinsou, a recognized expert in economic development in Africa, has previously worked with Total Energies through his consulting company.
As part of this evaluation, a report will be submitted by April to take stock of the practices put in place by Total Energies as part of its controversial projects in Uganda and Tanzania.
It now remains to be seen how this assessment will be received and whether Total Energies’ projects will continue despite criticism and opposition. The question of the balance between economic development and environmental protection remains a crucial challenge to be met.