Activists in Tanzania, led by Joseph Oleshangay, are fighting against the government’s forced evictions of the Indigenous Maasai community from areas around national parks. The government claims the evictions are for wildlife protection, but the Maasai accuse officials of intimidation, rights abuses, and violence. Oleshangay and others have taken their complaints to international funders, urging them to withhold crucial funding until the alleged violence stops. Recently, the World Bank and the EU have suspended grants to Tanzania due to human rights abuse allegations related to conservation projects.
The Maasai have a long history of displacement, dating back to colonial times when they were forced to move to make way for conservation efforts. The current conflicts stem from the government’s desire to expand tourism, which clashes with the Maasai’s traditional way of life. The loss of funding and international pressure are making the government reconsider its actions, but the Maasai community still faces threats of eviction and restrictions on their way of life.
Despite government claims of overpopulation and pressure on wildlife, the Maasai argue that they have a right to their ancestral lands and should not be forcibly removed. Land in Tanzania belongs to the government, allowing officials to relocate people legally, but without proper dialogue and agreements, the Maasai face eviction without consent. The ongoing struggle between the Maasai and the Tanzanian government highlights the larger issue of Indigenous rights and conservation efforts in the region.
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