French energy giant TotalEnergies has hired Lionel Zinsou, former prime minister of Benin, to assess land acquisition practices for its Tilenga oil and East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) projects in Uganda and Tanzania.

The move comes amid ongoing legal challenges and accusations of environmental and social harm against the projects.

Activist groups, led by Friends of the Earth France, have filed lawsuits against TotalEnergies, alleging shortcomings in the land acquisition process and inadequate compensation for affected communities.

The company maintains that it has adhered to international standards and that the vast majority of households involved have reached satisfactory agreements.

Zinsou's consulting firm, SouthBridge, will review procedures used during land acquisition, conditions for community consultation, compensation and relocation policies, and grievance handling mechanisms.

The report is expected by April 2024 and will cover a program that encompasses roughly 6,400 hectares (15,815 acres) and 19,140 households and communities across both countries.

TotalEnergies claims that 98% of involved households have signed compensation agreements, 97% have received their payments, and 98% of those slated for relocation have already moved into new homes. However, critics like Human Rights Watch (HRW) paint a starkly different picture.

"Tens of thousands of people have lost land that provided food for their families and an income to send their children to school," said Myrto Tilianaki, an HRW researcher.

"They have received too little compensation from TotalEnergies."

Tilianaki further alleges that Ugandan activists speaking out against the projects have faced intimidation and harassment, including arrests and threats.

The Tilenga project is a joint venture between TotalEnergies (56.67% operator), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) (28.33%), and Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) (15%).

Planned to transport Ugandan oil to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, the EACOP is controlled by TotalEnergies (62%), UNOC (15%), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) (15%), and CNOOC (8%).

Zinsou, who served as Benin's prime minister from 2015 to 2016, has experience working with TotalEnergies through his consulting firm. His independent review of the land acquisition process could shed light on any potential issues and inform future practices for the company.

The outcome of Zinsou's assessment and the ongoing legal challenges will be closely watched by stakeholders on both sides of the debate, as it remains to be seen whether Zinsou's review will be able to quell the controversy surrounding the Tilenga and EACOP projects.