MAPUTO: French energy giant Total on Monday said it had signed a security agreement with Mozambique to protect a major gas project in a restive northern province. The new memorandum of understanding allows for a so-called Joint Task Force to "ensure the security" of Mozambique's liquefied natural gas (LNG) project activities across Total's area of operation in Cabo Delgado province.

Cabo Delgado has been the scene of a jihadist insurgency since 2017 that has killed more than 1,500 people and displaced 250,000 others.