The Minister of Defense, Cristóvão Chume, said on Monday (26) that the government had not yet received TotalEnegries' independent report on the humanitarian and security situation in Cabo Delgado.

"Total has not yet shared the report with the government. As you know, Total hired a consultant. The consultant produced the report for his employer, Total. We think Total is doing some analysis on the document and will eventually share it with the Mozambican government," said Chume, quoted by Mozambican daily STV.

He also said that it was through the press that he learned about the contents of the report, including the recommendation for the French oil company to disengage from the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces in the region where it has operations. He noted that this differed from the interpretation given by the media.

"What the report is saying is that the formal relationship of direct support for the Defense and Security Forces, within the framework of the governance principles of these multinational companies, is not acceptable. Okay? Because it could be interpreted as being part of the conflict, by taking sides on one side of the conflict. Total is prevented from being able to support the Armed Forces with any logistical support because it could be seen as being part of the conflict. It is this relationship that must be severed and we have seen no problem with this happening. Okay?", he explained.

The minister, who was speaking at a press conference, stressed that it was primarily up to the Mozambican state to guarantee the sovereignty of its people and, when necessary, to choose support partners.

"Never has Total or Rwanda or any other country asked the Government of Mozambique to stop fulfilling its mission to protect the populations of the districts of Mocímboa da Praia, Palma, who live in Afungi, and the investments in those areas, so that other forces can carry them out. This is the sovereign mission of the Mozambican government and the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, primarily, and, whenever required, with the support of whomever we want. We have never felt pressure from any company to change. We decide how, where and with whom to provide security for the Republic of Mozambique," said the minister.