MAN-MADE DISASTER. Force majeure is typically reserved for acts of God or other unforeseen events. For Total (TOTF.PA) in Mozambique, the reasons are sadly predictable. The French energy giant on Monday invoked the legal clause, which frees it from its contractual obligations, over deteriorating security in the north, where it is building a $20 billion liquified natural gas plant. Islamic State-linked militants overran the nearby town of Palma last month. Total paid $3.9 billion for a 26.5% stake in the project in 2019, when the Islamist insurgency was in its infancy. So far, it has probably spent only a small part of its $14.9 billion of financing. And with force majeure in place, it no longer has to pay contractors. But the declaration suggests the French group now fears a long delay until authorities reassert control . Meanwhile gas investment is under growing scrutiny from investors, and faces competition from renewables. The longer the project stays on ice, the less likely Total will recoup its outlay. (By Ed Cropley) On Twitter http://twitter.com/breakingviews Earlier in Capital Calls: U.S. bank mergers read more Nestlé reaches for the vitamin pills read more When rebranding turns into Abrdn read more Westpac stumbles toward true north read more The $2 trln toybox read more