On Thursday, January 4, 2024, French energy giant TotalEnergies announced a significant move, revealing its initiation of a comprehensive land acquisition assessment for its contentious $10-billion projects in Uganda and Tanzania. These projects, specifically the Tilenga drilling project in Uganda and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), have faced strong opposition from environmentalists, triggering concerns about their impact on local ecosystems and communities.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline, spanning 1,443 kilometers from Hoima in Uganda to the Tanga Port on the Indian Ocean coast of Tanzania, is at the heart of the controversy. TotalEnergies remains undeterred in its commitment to proceed with the ambitious project, despite vocal objections from activists.
In response to mounting environmental concerns, the company stated that the land acquisition assessment mission aims to scrutinize the implemented procedures, the conditions surrounding consultation, compensation, relocation of affected populations, and the mechanism for handling grievances. The company has set a deadline to submit the comprehensive report by April, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability.
Tilenga, an integral part of TotalEnergies’ projects, focuses on extracting oil beneath the ecologically rich Murchison Falls nature reserve in western Uganda. With plans for 419 wells, this venture has ignited fears among opponents regarding the fragility of the region’s ecosystem and the well-being of its inhabitants.
TotalEnergies, in collaboration with Chinese oil company CNOOC, acknowledges the magnitude of the project’s impact. According to information on its website, the initiative would necessitate the relocation of 775 primary residences, affecting a total of 18,800 stakeholders, landowners, and land users. However, Human Rights Watch issued a report in July, calling for an immediate halt to the plans, citing devastating consequences on thousands of people’s livelihoods in Uganda.
Allegations of environmental negligence have escalated further, with four environmental groups filing a criminal complaint against TotalEnergies in France, citing climate grounds. The legal action underscores the global dimension of the controversy surrounding these projects and adds an additional layer of scrutiny.
To lead the land acquisition assessment, TotalEnergies has appointed Lionel Zinsou, Benin’s former Prime Minister, described as a recognized expert in African economic development. Zinsou’s past collaborations with TotalEnergies through his consulting company provide a backdrop to his selection, emphasizing a strategic choice for navigating the complexities of this assessment.
