Tanzania Faces a Crossroad: Balancing Conservation with Human Rights in Mass Evictions

By Adonis Byemelwa

Electoral stakeholders from Mwanza and Shinyanga are converging today 9^th August 2024, to meet with the National Electoral Commission (NEC), focusing on the crucial enhancement of the Permanent Voters Register in their regions. This high-stakes gathering is set to shape the future of voter registration, ensuring that every eligible citizen is accounted for ahead of upcoming elections.

This meeting, part of the third phase of the register's improvement, aims to ensure all participants are well-prepared for the upcoming voter registration exercise. NEC’s Director of Elections, Kailima Ramadhani, stressed the importance of these sessions in sharing crucial information and introducing stakeholders to the registration equipment and systems.

"The primary goal of these engagements is to inform stakeholders about the ongoing process, familiarize them with the registration equipment, and ensure they understand how the exercise will be conducted at various registration centers.

We will also discuss preparations, including the verification of registration centers, trial improvements, equipment procurement, and stakeholder involvement, which will be critical as we begin operations in Mwanza and Shinyanga," said Ramadhani.

The meetings will bring together political party leaders, religious leaders, representatives from civil society organizations, editors, journalists, regional and district information officers, and various community representatives, including youth, people with disabilities, women, and traditional elders.

The Director of Elections will present on multiple aspects of the Permanent Voters Register enhancement, such as the registration process, voter eligibility, expected voter turnout, and training for those involved in the enhancement process. ICT experts will guide participants through the registration system and the equipment that will be used.

The NEC has already initiated the enhancement of the Permanent Voters Register, launching the process in Kigoma on July 20, 2024, with Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa officiating. This launch marked the start of the first phase across Kigoma, Tabora, and Katavi regions. The second phase is currently underway in Kagera and Geita, running from August 5 to 11, 2024.

In a shocking turn of events, the Tanzanian government has initiated what could be the largest mass eviction of citizens in the nation's history, relocating residents of Ngorongoro a staggering 547 kilometers away from their ancestral lands.

This unprecedented move, driven by directives from top authorities, has seen the National Electoral Commission (NEC) strip these residents of their voting rights by moving them away from polling centers they've relied on for years, effectively disenfranchising them.

Amid growing outrage, Chadema Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu has issued a powerful call to action, urging the newly installed Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) leadership under Boniface Mwabukusi to intervene.

 Lissu, known for his fierce advocacy, has demanded that the TLS address the issue with the full force of the law, insisting that this gross violation of citizens' rights be challenged through every legal avenue available.

As the controversy deepens, all eyes are on TLS to see whether it will rise to the occasion and defend the rights of those displaced, setting a critical precedent in the fight for justice in Tanzania.Top of FormBottom of Form

This drastic action has sparked widespread criticism, with a teacher from Embarway Secondary School in Ngorongoro expressing frustration. Speaking anonymously, the teacher lamented the disruption of basic services like hospitals, shops, and markets, which have been halted.

 "It feels like the government is deliberately discouraging the residents, forcing them to leave the district. But we have no plans to leave. We have lived harmoniously with wildlife here for generations. It seems this government, under President Samia, values animals more than people," the teacher remarked.

Even the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority offices have been relocated near Karatu, about four kilometers away, to minimize human-wildlife interactions. The teacher speculated that even Embarway School might be moved, given that it isn't as costly as the abandoned Ngorongoro Authority buildings.

Ngorongoro MP Emmanuel Ole Shangai (CCM) has raised serious concerns in Parliament, questioning how the relocation can be considered voluntary when essential services are being withheld. Speaking in Dodoma on April 8, 2024, during the budget discussion for the Prime Minister's Office, he highlighted the plight of Ngorongoro residents.

Since 2022, they have been under a lockdown that has stunted development. He cited 27 primary schools in the area, none of which are allowed to build or even repair toilets, forcing students and teachers to relieve themselves in the bush. Additionally, students at Enduleni Primary School, which has boarding facilities, are now forced to fetch water from the river due to the suspension of water services.

Shangai’s bold stance may come at a cost, as the ruling party CCM traditionally does not tolerate public criticism of the government by its members. Rumors are already circulating that he might be sidelined in the party primaries for the 2025 elections.

As the relocation continues, it is imperative to ensure that the process is conducted smoothly, with displaced residents receiving adequate compensation and resettlement with dignity. Renowned economist and retired professor Anna Tibaijuka has strongly criticized the government's approach, arguing that Tanzania's conservation reserves already occupy 28% of the country's land. Expanding these areas at the expense of human settlement, she says, is a short-sighted move that overlooks the need for industrialization and land development. "Prioritizing animals over people is absurd," said Prof.

Tibaijuka, who served as the Minister of Land and Human Settlement under President Jakaya Kikwete. She also warned that some of the confidential agreements between the government and private investors contain clauses that infringe on human rights, urging a closer examination of such bonds.

Chadema vice chairman Tundu Lissu was quoted as saying, that the situation in Ngorongoro is a stark reminder that development must be balanced with respect for the rights of the people who have lived on this land for generations. Moving forward, a more humane approach is essential—one that values human dignity promotes equitable development, and ensures transparency in policies that impact the lives of Tanzania’s most vulnerable citizens.

“The future isn’t about picking sides between conservation and human rights; it’s about striking a balance that serves all Tanzanians. We must protect our natural heritage without trampling on the rights of those who’ve called these lands home for generations,” says Sinyati Mollel, a resident of Ngorongoro.

 A just approach prioritizes both people and nature, ensuring that progress respects the dignity and livelihoods of every citizen. It’s time for Tanzania to lead with a vision that embraces both sustainable development and human rights, proving that one does not have to come at the expense of the other.