Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has officially launched two commissions to evaluate the ongoing land conflict in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and to assess the voluntary relocation of its residents.

The two commissions, launched following a promise made by the President during a meeting with Ngorongoro representatives in Arusha late last year, are set to operate for a period of three years.

The first commission, tasked with reviewing the land dispute, will be led by Judge Dr. Gerald Ndika. The second commission, focused on evaluating the voluntary relocation of residents, will be headed by Engineer Musa Iyombe.

During the launch, President Samia urged the commissioners to approach their work with confidence, integrity, and high professionalism, while prioritizing the national interest.

“We have great faith in your abilities. We believe you will help us overcome this challenge, and as is our tradition, we will find solutions to our problems through our own knowledge—that is the essence of Tanzania’s independence,” she said.

The Ngorongoro issue has been a topic of national debate for over 30 years, with human rights activists voicing concerns about the violations faced by the local residents, including a recent plan to relocate more than 110,000 people living in the Ngorongoro area.

On August 18, 2024, hundreds of Maasai people: men, women, and children gathered to protest against the denial of their basic rights, discrimination, and the loss of their ancestral land in Ngorongoro. The protests were part of ongoing opposition to the government’s relocation plan.

The government justifies the relocation as a necessary step to protect the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While officials insist the relocation is voluntary, there have been signs that some elements may forcefully relocate residents.