On Sunday, August 18, 2024, hundreds of Maasai community members—men, women, and children—gathered to protest the denial of basic rights, discrimination, and the loss of their ancestral land in Ngorongoro, Tanzania.
Draped in their traditional red clothing and holding leaves a symbol of peace recognized across many Tanzanian tribes the demonstrators blocked the busy Ngorongoro-Serengeti Road. They carried posters, prayed, and marched, singing in the Maasai language to voice their grievances.
The protest is the latest in a series of actions against a government relocation plan aimed at moving 110,000 Maasai from Ngorongoro to Msomera, Sauni, and Kitwai—over 300 kilometers from their current homes.
The government argues that the relocation is essential to preserve the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While officials maintain the relocation is voluntary, they have hinted at future legislation that would prohibit any residents from remaining in Ngorongoro.
The government has offered to build new homes to encourage voluntary relocation for those who agree to move to Msomera. By April 2024, the government reported spending Tsh. 286 billion on the relocation effort which has resulted in approximately 8,364 residents moving since July 2022.
However, many Maasai remaining in Ngorongoro have voiced concerns about discriminatory practices, including the need for special permits to enter and exit Ngorongoro. Residents have also complained about the withdrawal of essential services such as education and healthcare, with funding reportedly diverted to Msomera. Both the Ngorongoro Member of Parliament and human rights organizations have confirmed these shifts in funding.
READ MORE: Lawmaker Accuses Govt of Depriving People of Ngorongoro of Basic Social Services
Voting Rights Concerns
While the denial of basic services has been a long-standing issue, the latest protest was reportedly triggered by claims that residents have been stripped of their right to vote in Ngorongoro. The concern emerge strongly as the country is now updating its voters register, an exercise which started on July 20,2024.
On August 3, 2024, some Ngorongoro leaders and residents held a press conference, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had transferred the names of voters from Ngorongoro to Msomera, a place where only 2 percent of Ngorongoro residents have relocated.
“We are shocked and saddened that the entire Ngorongoro Division, which now has a population of 110,000, will not be voting at usual polling stations,” said James Moringe Mollel, Councilor of Loitile. “They claimed the relocation was voluntary, but for example, I have been assigned to a hamlet in Msomera as my polling station, a place I’ve never even visited.”
“When we checked the system, my voter card showed that I’m supposed to vote at Msomera B polling station—a place I’ve never been to,” said Sabore Ngarusi, Chairman of Bulati Village. “Even as we speak, our safety is compromised; we are being hunted and oppressed.”
“We have been marginalized and ignored. When it reaches the point where we are denied the right to choose our leaders, it’s more than just oppression. It feels like retaliation, but for what? The government hasn’t told us. I’ve been assigned to the Msomera Health Center as my poll station, but I’ve never been there. Why are we not receiving basic services?” added Moses Oleseki, a resident of Enduleni.
READ: Ngorongoro: A Blot on Samia’s Human Rights Record?
On August 6, 2024, The Chanzo reached out to INEC Chairperson Judge Jacobs Mwambegele, who said he had not received any complaints but promised to consult with the INEC Executive Director on the matter. The Chanzo was informed INEC will issue a statement to clarify the issue, but none has been released to date.
On August 10, 2024, The Chanzo contacted Ngorongoro Member of Parliament Emmanuel Ole Shangai, who told The Chanzo that he had no official information to share as he was still in consultation with government officials.
Today, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) issued a statement asserting that tourism activities are continuing as usual despite the demonstrations.
“The demonstrations, as seen on social media, show the world, international communities, media outlets, and international organizations that there are no human rights violations or abuses of citizens in the conservation area,” read part of the statement signed by Hamis Dambaya, Acting Manager of Public Relations at the NCAA.
The NCAA is one of the largest sources of tourism revenue in Tanzania. In 2023, 843,473 tourists visited the area, including 515,961 foreign tourists, generating Sh. 195 billion for the country.
