PARIS — TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné has publicly defended the French energy giant’s operations in East Africa, following renewed scrutiny over alleged human rights abuses connected to its controversial oil pipeline and extraction projects in Uganda and Tanzania.
The defence came during the company’s annual shareholders meeting on Friday, just hours after a United Nations human rights expert called on TotalEnergies to take urgent action to protect environmental activists facing threats linked to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and associated sites.
Michel Forst, the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders, issued a statement late Thursday warning that the company’s ongoing dismissal of abuse allegations as “misconceptions” was unacceptable. “It is deeply troubling that TotalEnergies has consistently rejected these concerns rather than addressing them constructively,” he said.
Forst also noted that as a French entity, TotalEnergies is bound by the Aarhus Convention, which protects individuals from being penalised or harassed for participating in environmental matters.
Pouyanné, however, pushed back against the criticism, stating, “We develop these projects with our values and principles. We are convinced of the good they do for the countries and the local populations.” He added that it was better for a company like TotalEnergies to undertake such projects “rather than others who may care less about human rights and the environment.”
The remarks came on the heels of a decision by Union Investment — one of Germany’s leading asset managers — to divest TotalEnergies’ shares and bonds from its sustainable investment funds. The move was prompted by a report from Just Finance International, which detailed alleged abuses at Uganda’s Kingfisher oil site.
In response, TotalEnergies issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to human rights. “We do not tolerate any threats or violence against those who peacefully defend and promote human rights,” the company said. It added that it works with Ugandan authorities to ensure police uphold due process and that detained protesters are treated with respect.
The company also claimed that its local security team monitors the welfare of any arrested individuals and ensures that legal representatives have access to them.
Still, pressure is mounting. Forst endorsed Union Investment’s call for an independent investigation into the alleged abuses. He urged TotalEnergies not only to make the findings public and act on any shortcomings but also to use its influence to prevent future attacks on activists.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline, which stretches from oil fields in Uganda to Tanzania’s coast, has been a flashpoint for criticism over its environmental footprint and reported displacement of communities. The latest controversy adds to growing questions about the social and ethical dimensions of global energy projects.
