Tanzania’s Maasai Protest Sparks Major Disruptions and Criticism Over Government Eviction Plan

By Adonis Byemelwa

On the morning of Sunday, August 18, 2024, the Maasai community in Ngorongoro organized a significant peaceful protest along the Ngorongoro-Serengeti highway, demanding that the Tanzanian government recognize and uphold their fundamental rights.

 The protest emerged after years of grievances related to restricted access to social services, physical harassment, and violations of land rights. The Maasai have faced increasing pressures, including denial of voter registration and forced relocation with special permits to access their ancestral land.

The community's frustration reached a boiling point as they set up roadblocks on major roads at 6:00 AM. “For far too long, our voices have been silenced, and our rights have been trampled on,” one protester stated.

“We don’t block this main road by choice; we’re forced to do it!” The Maasai are calling for a meaningful dialogue with authorities to address their grievances and are urging the public to support their fight for justice.

Over the past four years, the Tanzanian government has suspended all social services, including healthcare and education, in Ngorongoro, aiming to pressure the Maasai to vacate their land.

Recent developments have only heightened tensions: the government removed the Maasai area from the list of polling centers used in voter registration updates, effectively disenfranchising them for the 2024 local government and 2025 general elections. This move has been described as a gross violation of their rights.

In response to the protests, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) issued a statement, which quickly went viral on social media. Hamis Dambaya, Acting Manager of the Public Relations Unit, assured that tourism activities within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area remain unaffected.

“Tourists from both Tanzania and abroad are proceeding with their trips to experience the park’s renowned attractions,” Dambaya stated in a statement.

The government has assured the safety of all visitors amidst the protests, with the authority monitoring social media to communicate to the international community and human rights organizations that there are no reported violations within the park.

The peaceful demonstration, while aimed at demanding the recognition of Maasai rights, has inadvertently affected tourism.

A convoy of tourist vehicles found themselves stranded in Ngorongoro due to the roadblocks set up by the protesting Maasai. This disruption underlines the broader impact of the ongoing conflict between the Maasai community and the Tanzanian government.

In a dramatic development, the Tanzanian government has initiated what could be the largest mass eviction in the country’s history, relocating Ngorongoro residents 547 kilometers away from their ancestral lands.

This unprecedented move, driven by top government directives, has stripped these residents of their voting rights by relocating them away from established polling centers, effectively disenfranchising them.

Chadema Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu has called for action, urging the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) leadership under Boniface Mwabukusi to intervene. “This gross violation of citizens' rights must be challenged through every legal avenue available,” Lissu declared.

 The focus is now on TLS to address the situation and defend the displaced residents, potentially setting a crucial precedent in Tanzania’s fight for justice.

The relocation has also provoked local criticism. An anonymous teacher from Embarway Secondary School in Ngorongoro expressed frustration over the disruption of essential services. “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,” the teacher remarked. “It seems this government, under President Samia, values animals more than people.”

The Ngorongoro Conservation Authority offices have been moved near Karatu, approximately four kilometers away, to minimize human-wildlife interactions. Speculation even suggests that Embarway School might be relocated, as it is less costly compared to the abandoned Ngorongoro Authority buildings.

Ngorongoro MP Emmanuel Ole Shangai (CCM) has raised concerns in Parliament, questioning the voluntary nature of the relocation amid withheld essential services. Speaking in Dodoma on April 8, 2024, during the budget discussion for the Prime Minister’s Office, Shangai highlighted the dire situation in Ngorongoro. “Residents have been under a lockdown since 2022, which has stunted development,” Shangai noted.

He pointed out that 27 primary schools in the area are unable to build or repair toilets, forcing students and teachers to use the bush, while Enduleni Primary School students must fetch water from the river due to suspended water services.

Renowned economist and retired professor Anna Tibaijuka has criticized the government’s approach, arguing that expanding conservation reserves at the expense of human settlement is a shortsighted move.

 “Prioritising animals over people is absurd,” Tibaijuka said. She warned that some agreements between the government and private investors may infringe on human rights, calling for a closer examination of such deals.

Chadema Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu emphasized the need for a balanced approach that respects both human rights and conservation. “The future isn’t about picking sides between conservation and human rights; it’s about striking a balance that serves all Tanzanians,” Lissu said.

In a powerful statement, Resident Sinyati Mollel emphasized the need for a harmonious balance between sustainable development and human rights. “We must protect our natural heritage without trampling on the rights of those who’ve called these lands home for generations,” Mollel asserted.

This sentiment resonates strongly with today's Maasai demonstrations, where local communities have gathered to protest against encroachments on their ancestral lands. The demonstrations highlight a growing concern among the Maasai people about the impact of development projects on their traditional lands and way of life.

As Mollel’s words suggest, the ongoing protests highlight the urgent need for policies that respect both environmental sustainability and the rights of Indigenous communities. The Maasai’s call for justice and recognition serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance required to address both environmental and human rights issues in today's world.