A TotalEnergies pipeline project in East Africa is disturbing community graves, watchdog says
A New York-based climate watchdog says the French oil company TotalEnergies is failing to protect the sanctity of hundreds of graves in a controversial project that aims to build a heated pipeline from oil fields in Uganda to a port in Tanzania
KAMPALA, Uganda — The French oil company TotalEnergies is failing to protect the sanctity of hundreds of graves in a controversial project that aims to build a heated pipeline from oil fields in Uganda to a port in Tanzania, according to a report by a New York-based climate watchdog.
In a report released Thursday, GreenFaith charges that TotalEnergies “has consistently failed to respect local customs and traditions related to the treatment of graves,” distressing local communities in the East African nations of Uganda and Tanzania.
The report is the latest effort by a growing list of campaigners who urge TotalEnergies and its partners — China National Offshore Oil Corporation and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania — to cancel the project. As the majority shareholder, TotalEnergies has long faced legal pressure from activists who say the nearly 1,500-kilometer (900-mile) pipeline project undermines the Paris climate accord.
TotalEnergies has denied each of the charges, saying it’s deploying state-of-the-art design, including horizontal drilling, to minimize ecological damage.
The report by GreenFaith says that, in addition to climate and human rights concerns, the pipeline is a “spiritual assault" on local communities.
Based partly on interviews with affected families in six districts in Uganda and three in Tanzania, the report says more than 2,000 graves will be disturbed or disrespected by drilling and pipeline activities.
“Project officials neglected on many occasions
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