In a landmark legal action, four Ugandan farmers have launched a lawsuit against French energy giant TotalEnergies in the UK High Court, challenging the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
The pipeline, a $5. 6 billion project, is set to span 1,400 kilometers from Uganda to Tanzania, with operations anticipated to commence in 2027.
The farmers argue that the pipeline contravenes Uganda’s environmental, climate, and constitutional laws.
The EACOP, which will be the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline, has been criticized by environmental groups, who have dubbed it a “carbon bomb, “predicting it could emit hundreds of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases during its lifespan.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the pipeline’s potential impact on wildlife and ecosystems, particularly near Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. TotalEnergies asserts that it has implemented stringent environmental protections and is working to mitigate the project’s impact.
The lawsuit is the first instance of Ugandan environmental laws being tested before a British court, marking it as a significant case for climate and energy policy on a global scale.
The farmers, supported by campaign group Avaaz, are seeking an injunction that could potentially halt the pipeline’s operation.
The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future energy infrastructure projects in Africa and beyond, potentially shaping the continent’s energy development trajectory.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
