Tanzania Relocates Maasai for Conservation

A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed that the Tanzanian government is forcibly evicting Indigenous Maasai communities from their ancestral lands. The report, published on Wednesday, highlights the government's plan to relocate over 82,000 Maasai individuals from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) to Msomera village, approximately 600 kilometers away. This initiative, launched in 2022, is framed as a strategy for conservation and tourism, but it has sparked significant controversy. HRW conducted interviews with nearly 100 individuals, including those who have already relocated and those facing imminent eviction, between August 2022 and December 2023. The findings indicate that the government has failed to obtain the free, prior, and informed consent of the Maasai people regarding the relocation. Residents reported numerous violations of their rights, including access to land, education, and health services, as well as inadequate compensation for their displacement. The report also documents instances of violence associated with the relocation process, with government-employed rangers allegedly assaulting residents. Between September 2022 and July 2023, HRW recorded 13 incidents of beatings by rangers. Residents expressed fear of retaliation for speaking out against the evictions, with one individual stating, “You’re not allowed to say anything,” highlighting the atmosphere of intimidation. Juliana Nnoko, a senior researcher at HRW, emphasized the need for the Tanzanian government to respect the rights of the Maasai communities, calling it both an ethical and legal obligation. She urged the government to reconsider its approach to ensure the survival and dignity of the Maasai people, which is currently at serious risk due to the ongoing relocation efforts.