Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has urged the swift resumption of TotalEnergies SE’s $20 billion gas project in Cabo Delgado province, despite acknowledging persistent security threats.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Chapo said a stable environment was vital for lifting the force majeure imposed in 2021 after insurgent attacks, but he stressed that waiting for “heaven” would delay critical national development.

Security Still a Hurdle

Speaking in Seville, Spain, Chapo stated that although security has improved over the past four years, the risk remains and ensuring stability depends not only on Mozambique’s government but also on foreign partners. “If we’re waiting for Cabo Delgado to be a heaven, we won’t lift force majeure,” he said.

The project, halted in 2021 following deadly attacks by Islamic State-linked militants, is crucial to Mozambique’s economic future. Total evacuated workers and froze operations at that time. Since then, Rwandan troops have helped push back the insurgents, with funding from the European Council.

Regional Cooperation and Uncertainty

Chapo called on neighboring countries to support security in Cabo Delgado after previous efforts, including using mercenaries, failed. However, he noted that the terms of Rwanda's military presence remain unclear. “Security doesn’t depend fully on Rwanda, Total or Mozambique, but on how terrorism is playing out on the ground,” he said.

Mozambique's government is examining several options to safeguard the site but admits that no solution is guaranteed. The project’s completion timeline spans another four years, and Total has continued engineering work off-site.

Investment and Future Outlook

Despite stalled operations, TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné confirmed last month that the company plans to start LNG production by 2029. Meanwhile, financial commitments continue: the U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a $4.7 billion loan in March, the largest piece of project funding.

Chapo voiced confidence that Total will eventually restart work but refused to provide a timeline. “We’ve got faith that TotalEnergies will be able to lift the force majeure,” he said.

The Total facility, alongside Eni’s already-operational floating LNG plant and ExxonMobil’s proposed Rovuma LNG project, is part of Mozambique’s ambition to become a major global gas exporter.