Human Rights Watch has accused Tanzania of forcibly removing indigenous tribes from their ancestral land in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. According to a report released on Wednesday, the rights group details a Tanzanian government program aimed at relocating 82,000 people to repurpose the land for wildlife conservation, tourism, and hunting.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, located in northern Tanzania, is a U.N. World Heritage Site managed by the Tanzanian government. The Maasai tribe has coexisted with wild animals in the area for centuries.
In 2022, the Tanzanian government initiated a program to promote the voluntary relocation of the Maasai tribe from the conservation area to Msomera, a town approximately 600 kilometers (370 miles) away.Human Rights Watch argues that what was presented as a voluntary relocation scheme was, in reality, coercive.Allan Ngari, the group’s Africa advocacy director, stated that the forced displacement of these people violates both the Tanzanian constitution and international law.
Ngari stated, “There are clear violations, such as the Maasai people’s right to consultation before the planning and implementation of the relocation, the prohibition of forced evictions—which is occurring even for residents of Msomera—and the suppression of their culture and development. This indicates a general disregard by the government for its obligations, raising serious concerns about potential accountability and justice.” For its 86-page report, titled “It’s Like Killing Culture,” Human Rights Watch interviewed over 100 individuals, including those resettled from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Community members reported that they were not informed about the resettlement plans and that their consent was not obtained.
In January, government spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi stated that the relocation process was progressing well, despite claims of misinformation from some civil society groups and others. Local activists report that around 8,000 people have been relocated so far.
Ngorongoro, which is home to over 80,000 people, has seen a decrease in essential services such as water, land for food production, and sufficient schools since 2021, according to residents. Local media has reported that the government denies reducing these services. However, Ngorongoro resident Denis Oleshangay claims that authorities are gradually forcing people out of their homes.
Oleshangay said, “The government is deliberately creating an uncomfortable situation to make life difficult for people by restricting access to essential places for grazing and water. As a result, many have lost their livestock due to insufficient grazing land. Additionally, there are no permits to repair or build even collapsing classrooms or houses.”
Residents also report that government-employed rangers assault and beat them without consequence, making travel around Ngorongoro increasingly dangerous.
The Tanzanian government has been working on a plan to allocate more land for tourism, wildlife, and game hunting.
Authorities argue that while the Maasai have been permitted to live within national parks, their increasing population has led to competition with wildlife.Ngari from Human Rights Watch stated that the government should engage with the affected communities and ensure that those remaining in the conservation area have access to essential services.”We are calling for the restoration of basic services,” Ngari said. “There needs to be a reinstatement of funding and resources for the Ngorongoro conservation area, which the government has removed.”The organization emphasizes that the government must respect the rights of indigenous people and ensure their survival, well-being, and dignity.
