article: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugals-galp-says-security-crucial-mozambique-build-lng-plants-2022-04-07/
Galp Energia, a Portuguese member of Exxon-Mobil announced that it wants to build onshore liquified natural gas plants in Mozambique starting in 2024. This is part of an investment project of Exxon-Mobil into Mozambique, however, there have been concerns regarding the security of the liquified natural gas facilities due to the ongoing insurgency in the north of the country. Since 2017 Mozambique has been fighting against an insurgency led by Al-Shabaab, an extremist group with IS links. Some companies like the French energy company Total pulled out of investments after recent escalations of the conflict, possibly putting their projects at risk of being targeted by terror attacks.
This story is an interesting development because it shows that large energy corporations see starting new investment projects in developing countries as a feasible way to make profit while also potentially helping to develop the region and make it more prosperous as well. Despite this wish to invest in the country it is still a necessity to make sure the development projects and workers are safe from attacks carried out by militant groups. With assistance coming from other African countries like Rwanda and Botswana as well as from other countries internationally, the insurgency has slowly been more contained after an increase in activities in 2021, which shows promise for possibly continuing the development of LNG plants in 2024 or soon after.
This article relates to class because Galp Energia is part of Exxon-Mobil which is a Multinational Corporation that wishes to invest in Mozambique. Mozambique has been struggling with an insurgency from Islamist militants with ties to IS and is seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region. The insurgency is being contained by the Mozambican security forces with support being provided on an international scale including troops from several countries such as South Africa, Rwanda and Botswana. The insurgency is slowly being contained but still frequently carries out attacks on civilian populations.