End of Dutch involvement in controversial gas project in Mozambique in sight after TotalEnergies withdraws from Dutch insurance
THE HAGUE/CABO DELGADO, December 1, 2025 - Today, Minister of Finance Eelco Heinen announced that TotalEnergies is withdrawing from a $640 million Dutch export credit insurance policy for a controversial gas project in Mozambique. Although the Dutch government has been avoiding this decision for years, this move has finally ended part of the Dutch involvement in this disastrous project.
Researchers confirm picture of violence and abuses
At the same time as the announcement of TotalEnergies' withdrawal, Minister Heinen also published the results of two independent investigations into human rights violations and the security situation surrounding the project in Mozambique, following strong calls from civil society and the House of Representatives. The researchers confirm previous allegations of systematic human rights violations by Mozambican security forces – financed by TotalEnergies. The investigations also acknowledge that this project has been a breeding ground for violence, something that Dutch and Mozambican civil society organizations have been warning about for years. At the same time, it remains a cause for concern that the policy for carrying out work on the same project in Mozambique by dredging company Van Oord, worth $213 million, remains in place.
Irresponsible risks taken by the Dutch government
Since the start of the assessment of whether the Dutch government should provide financial support to the gas project in Mozambique, there have been serious concerns about the unstable context in the region and the major impact the project would have on the environment and residents. Despite increasing warning signs and extreme violence, the Dutch government has been unwilling or unable to withdraw from this project.
Anne de Jonghe, senior policy advisor at environmental and human rights organization Both ENDS:
“The Dutch government's inability to take action while all the alarm bells were ringing illustrates the inadequacy of current Dutch policy and the contracts that Atradius DSB enters into. The Netherlands must not allow itself to be drawn into dangerous projects again without being able to withdraw responsibly if human rights are violated.”
Isabelle Geuskens – policy advisor at Milieudefensie (part of Friends of the Earth):
“The decision to withdraw financial support for the project today is an important step. Investigations show that TotalEnergies collaborated with military forces responsible for serious human rights violations. A complaint has been filed in France against TotalEnergies for complicity in war crimes. And the report states that the security risks remain significant. It is irresponsible and inexplicable that Van Oord can continue with this project with state support."
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