A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report has revealed that the Tanzanian government is forcibly evicting Indigenous Maasai from their ancestral lands. According to the report, the government plans to relocate over 82,000 Maasai from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) to Msomera village, 600 km away, for “conservation and tourism purposes.” The HRW report, based on interviews with nearly 100 community members, highlights violations of Maasai rights, including land, education, health, and compensation. It also revealed that the government did not seek the Maasai’s consent on its relocation plans and instead forced it upon them. According to those interviewed by HRW, the government has deployed violence and intimidation in the relocation process, with rangers allegedly beating those who oppose the move. Despite the allegations, the Tanzanian government asserts its relocation scheme complies with national laws.
SOURCE: FRANCE 24