The United States has reportedly granted special authorization to energy giants TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil to continue working with Rwanda Defence Force troops securing massive gas projects in northern Mozambique, despite sanctions imposed on Rwanda’s military earlier this year.
According to a report published by Africa Intelligence on May 22, 2026, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) approved exemptions allowing the two companies to maintain security cooperation with Rwandan forces deployed in Cabo Delgado Province.
The decision comes months after Washington imposed sanctions on Rwanda Defence Force on March 3, 2026, accusing Kigali of supporting the M23 movement operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda has consistently denied the allegations, insisting that the security crisis in eastern Congo has deeper historical and political roots.
Despite the sanctions, both TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil reportedly considered the presence of Rwandan troops essential for the protection of their multi-billion-dollar investments in Mozambique’s gas-rich north.
Rwanda has deployed around 5,000 troops to Mozambique since July 2021 under a security arrangement aimed at helping the country combat insurgent groups linked to the Islamic State organization.
Before the deployment, Cabo Delgado had become one of the most unstable regions in southern Africa, with repeated attacks disrupting major energy projects, displacing thousands of civilians, and threatening investor confidence.
Since entering the conflict zone, Rwandan forces have been widely credited with helping Mozambican authorities reclaim strategic areas previously controlled by insurgents, allowing several economic activities and infrastructure projects to resume.
The Mozambique LNG project led by TotalEnergies is expected to process 13 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually, while ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG project aims to process 18 million tons each year. Together, the projects are considered among the largest energy investments on the African continent.
Africa Intelligence also reported that ExxonMobil intensified diplomatic engagement following the US sanctions in order to ensure that its cooperation with Rwanda would not be interrupted.
Among the high-profile figures reportedly involved in the diplomatic efforts was Walter Kansteiner, the former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during President George W. Bush’s administration, who traveled to Kigali as part of discussions surrounding the continuation of the partnership.
Sources further indicate that ExxonMobil requested and obtained authorization for Rwanda Defence Force troops to continue securing construction activities on Afungi Island until the completion of the gas-processing infrastructure.
The US decision to grant exemptions highlights the growing importance of security partnerships in protecting strategic energy investments in Africa, particularly as global demand for liquefied natural gas continues to rise.
Analysts believe the move also reflects the delicate balance Washington is attempting to maintain between geopolitical pressure, regional security concerns, and the economic interests tied to one of Africa’s largest natural gas developments.
