Dubai royal family driving out thousands of Maasai to oblige rich foreign hunters

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists, Poverty

Maasai are being evicted from a Tanzanian wildlife paradise to make way for neocolonial land grabs by the Dubai royal family. The reason? The right to hunt unhindered for the next 30 years.

In Tanzania, the Maasai may lose their land – Again.

In Tanzania, a way of life hangs in the balance

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists, Poverty

East Africa must reject its colonial model of conserving wildlife

‘Fortress’ game reserves displaced the Maasai but ignore the pastoralists’ role in maintaining wildlife and biodiversity

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Poverty, Tourism

The recent violent evictions of Maasai in Loliondo, Tanzania, to make way for a luxury game reserve is the latest in a long list of examples of community owners of land suffering under a “fortress conservation” model adopted in the heyday of colonialism. And what for? So that others, be they wealthy tourists or royalty, can use swathes of land as their playgrounds.

Loliondo - Tanzania charges 20 Maasai with murder after police officer dies during protests

Lawyers say government is attempting to intimidate pastoralists as thousands flee to Kenya amid escalating row over evictions

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists, Poverty

The Brutal and Illegal Land Demarcation Operation in Contempt of Court Continues in Loliondo.

It Must be Stopped and the Beacons Uprooted!

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Indigenous people, Hunting, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists

With total lawlessness, massive deployment of security forces, senseless violence and shameless lies, the Tanzanian government continues planting beacons* in contempt of court to demarcate and alienate from the Maasai the 1,500 km2 of vitally important grazing land that it – lobbied by OBC that organizes hunting for Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai - has attempted to steal so many times. This operation started less than two weeks before the East African Court of Justice is expected to deliver its ruling on 22nd June. Many people have been injured, are missing or arrested, including local leaders who were lured by the DC and arrested the first day, kept incommunicado, and now charged with "murder" (for self defence exercised while they were locked up) together with ten others. This crime must be stopped, and the illegal beacons must be uprooted! The ruling was the day before the scheduled date postponed to September!

IUCN Statement on human rights violations in Loliondo, Tanzania

Themes: Conservation, Indigenous people, Human rights, Livlihoods, Pastoralists

IUCN is deeply concerned by reports of violence by security forces against the Maasai Indigenous Peoples in the Loliondo Division of Ngorongoro District, in northern Tanzania. Reports of at least one death and a number of people sustaining injuries are particularly alarming.

Loliondo - Urgent alert

Massive Police Invasion and Imminent Threat of Illegal Beacons for a Protected Area in Contempt of Court in Loliondo

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists

Never ever again dance to Majaliwa’s tune! It ends in tears however much he smiles and however clearly you explain everything to him!

Maasai Land All Over Tanzania Threatened

Pindi Chana in Her Budget Speech Announces Planned Contempt of Court in the Loliondo Case and Threatens Maasai Land All Over Tanzania

Themes: Conservation, Human rights, Hunting, Indigenous people, Livlihoods, NGOs, Parks, Pastoralists

On 3rd June, in her budget speech for 2022-2023, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Pindi Chana said that her Ministry expects to upgrade Loliondo Game Controlled Area to a Game Reserve. This is not only a criminal threat of violence and destruction of thousands of lives and livelihoods, but if in any way implemented, contempt of court in the case, in its final stages, in the East African Court of Justice. This comes only days after local leaders, on 25th May, in their futile dance to PM Majaliwa’s tune - at the same time as those from NCA – handed in explanations that the land is theirs, that they need it, that they care for it, and that they aren’t going anywhere. As if Majaliwa, or anyone in the government would listen … There must be loud protests, more court cases, perhaps even a reclaim of Serengeti if the government continues like this.