President Mozambique says that the country is not interested in reviewing terms of LNG projects.

Mozambique's new president stated on Friday that it is not interested in reviewing contract terms with energy giants such as TotalEnergies or ExxonMobil, who plan multi-billion dollar liquefied gas projects for the country. Daniel Chapo, the leader of the long-ruling Frelimo Party, took office on Tuesday after months of protests by opposition groups against his disputed electoral victory. Civil society groups claim that more than 300 people were killed. The government of Southern Africa is relying on energy projects from TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil to revolutionise the country's economy and stabilize its public finances.

Chapo stated that the government could not review the terms of TotalEnergies $20 billion project, which was put on hold in 2021 due to an islamist insurgency threating the site. The French company had not yet produced gas, he said.

In an interview, he said: "They're currently making investments and the contracts are brand new. That's why there's no place for contract reviews in these cases, as they've not even been put into operation yet." Chapo, 48 is a tall and imposing figure who has emerged from relative anonymity to become the governor of Inhambane, the province rich in gas. He will be looking to establish his authority as soon as possible after the protests that followed the recent elections, which disrupted the operations of foreign companies operating in Mozambique, including Syrah Resources, Gemfields Group, and others. TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and other foreign firms operating in Mozambique including Syrah Resources and Gemfields Group are hoping to restart construction on their LNG projects as soon as possible. The security situation in Cabo Delagado is improving despite the sporadic attacks by insurgents.

Chapo, the Mozambican president, said that the authorities would continue to fight the insurgents using the Rwandan army and other countries.

Chapo stated that dialogue is the only solution to the protests of the opposition against his victory in the election. Chapo was asked about the Stilfontein illegal South African mine, where more than 1,000 Mozambicans had been rescued in a police raid that cut off water and food supplies for several months.

"For the South African Government, that mine was already closed. This is a mine that should be forgotten. Unfortunately, the situation has already occurred. "I feel very sad," said he.

(source: Reuters)