Despite EU Sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) after Total Energies announced their withdrawal from Myanmar, the oil company continues bankrolling the junta, according to Blood Money Campaign in a 29 April press release.

The NGO says that despite the fact that Total Energies and Chevron announced their planned withdrawal from Myanmar on 21 January, they continue to bankroll the military junta before they leave to the tune of $250 million.

In second statement from Total Energies, it stated it would practice “responsible withdrawal”. However, there are questions over transparency in terms of how much gas revenues will be given to the junta, which has been committing human rights atrocities.

The Blood Money Campaign Team says in order that Total Energies practices a responsible exit, the company has an obligation to prevent gas money being paid to the “genocidal junta”, following the mandate of the elected legitimate government National Unity Government (NUG), and compromise with local and international human rights organizations, and Civil Society Organizations for a responsible and accountable exit plan.

This has not been seen so far, says the NGO.

On 21 February 2022, the European Union imposed sanctions on MOGE but the sanctions contain exemptions. If the French government allows the use of exemptions, Total Energies could continue bankrolling gas revenues as well as shares to the genocidal junta.
 
This could mean the company bankrolls $250 million that would allow the junta to buy ammunition that could be used to attack civilians, says the NGO.

Given that the company PTT will take over as operation of the Yadana project after Total leave, the Blood Money Campaign is calling on the US government to take timely action to impose sanctions on MOGE.