“All peoples shall freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources. This right shall be exercised in the exclusive interest of the people. In no case shall a people be deprived of it,” declares Article 21 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Land is a vital natural resource essential not only for the survival and prosperity of humanity but also for sustaining terrestrial ecosystems. Unfortunately, for some communities, the right to land is under constant threat. One such community is the Maasai people of Tanzania, whose culture, traditions, and ancestral land face ongoing violations, degradation, and suppression.
Although often portrayed in the media as symbols of traditional diversity and cultural excellence in Africa, the Maasai’s land and way of life are under siege. The Tanzanian government is pursuing plans to forcibly evict tens of thousands of Maasai from their ancestral land on the eastern edge of the Serengeti National Park, under the pretext of conservation. This government action threatens not only the Maasai’s homes but also their cultural identity and way of life.
Tanzania’s Forced Evictions: A Violent Clash
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key part of the Serengeti ecosystem, is home to some of the richest wildlife habitats in East Africa. Recently, however, government surveyors and security forces began demarcating 1,500 square kilometers of land with the intention of turning it over to a United Arab Emirates-based company for commercial hunting purposes. This land also encompasses vital migratory routes for wildlife such as wildebeest and zebra, further compounding the concerns surrounding the government’s plans.
On June 10, 2022, a violent clash erupted between the Maasai people and government forces, who began forcefully evicting them from their ancestral land in the Loliondo division of Ngorongoro District. Reports indicate that at least 31 people were injured during these events, with the use of force heavily criticized by human rights organizations. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) issued an urgent statement condemning these actions, calling them a blatant violation of the Maasai people’s rights and a breach of the African Charter.
Human Rights Violations and the African Charter
The forced evictions of the Maasai are a direct violation of several rights enshrined in the African Charter, including the right to life (Article 4), freedom of association (Article 10), property (Article 14), culture (Article 17), family (Article 18), and the right to existence and control over natural resources (Articles 20 and 21). The use of tear gas and live bullets against largely defenseless Maasai, most of whom are elderly women and children, only adds to the severity of the human rights abuses. International bodies like Amnesty International have condemned these actions, calling the eviction plan “shocking in both its scale and brutality.”
Tanzania’s Government Defends the Eviction Plan
Despite international condemnation, the Tanzanian government defends its actions, claiming that the evictions are necessary for the preservation of wildlife and the promotion of tourism. Tourism is a key contributor to Tanzania’s economy, accounting for a significant portion of the nation’s GDP and employment. The government argues that overpopulation in the area, combined with the presence of livestock, is straining the ecosystem and threatening the tourism industry.
Chief government spokesman Gerson Msigwa has stated that the government is unaware of any court order preventing the evictions and that the actions are in the national interest of preserving the environment. However, many rights groups, including Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International and Survival International, argue that the evictions are unlawful and unjust. These groups have called for an immediate halt to the forced displacements.
Resistance from the Maasai People
The Maasai people have not remained silent in the face of these abuses. Many have fled to neighboring Kenya, where they find temporary refuge. However, rights groups continue to push for an end to the evictions and have called for the Tanzanian government to honor their rights and uphold international human rights standards.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called on the Tanzanian government to:
- Immediately halt the forced eviction of the Maasai people from their ancestral land in Loliondo.
- Open independent investigations into the violence and harm caused by the evictions and provide reparations to the victims.
- Reinstate and support the rehabilitation of the affected communities.
- Revisit the conservation plan, ensuring full consultation with the affected Maasai communities.
- Ensure the participation of the Maasai in any decision-making regarding the conservation area.
Legal Precedent and the Maasai’s Fight for Justice
The Maasai have a history of seeking justice through legal means. On September 25, 2018, the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) granted an injunction preventing the Tanzanian government from evicting Maasai communities from a critical 1,500 square kilometers of land. Despite this ruling, the government has continued to violate the injunction, further exacerbating the situation. A final ruling on this matter was expected in June 2022 but has been postponed due to “unavoidable circumstances,” according to court sources.
The Maasai continue to fight for their land, using their traditional means of resistance, including protests and legal challenges. While their struggle remains ongoing, they remain hopeful that justice will prevail, and that one day their rights to land and self-determination will be fully recognized.
