Tanzania's mass eviction of Maasai sparks outrage

The Tanzanian government is forcing the Maasai to relocate from their ancestral lands in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Wednesday.

With over 82,000 Maasai being evicted, the rights watchdog stated that the government had violated their rights to land, education, and health without providing fair consent.

International outcry

"The Maasai are being forcibly evicted under the guise of voluntary relocation," said Juliana Nnoko, HRW senior researcher on women and land.

The HRW report reveals that "government-employed rangers assaulted and beat residents with impunity," with community members reporting 13 alleged incidents of beatings between September 2022 and July 2023.

The government claimed, that the scheme aims to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site from human encroachment.

HRW argued that the Tanzanian government wants to "use the Maasai lands for conservation and tourism purposes." Due to this controversy, the World Bank and the European Union have withdrawn their funding.

Authorities cut infrastructure to encourage relocation

To pressure the community into relocating, the authorities have cut funding for schools and health centers, restricting access to essential care and increasing travel distances.

HRW reports that the service cuts led to severe consequences: one woman gave birth to premature twins in a car, with both babies dying from delayed care.

Additionally, three women died from pregnancy-related complications between April and May last year due to a lack of timely medical help.

sp/ab (AFP, EFE)