In a landmark motion, the European Parliament has called for immediate action to protect the Maasai communities of Tanzania from forced evictions and relocations. On December 12, 2023, the Parliament issued a resolution demanding the Tanzanian government halt its controversial practices in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, areas historically inhabited by the Maasai pastoralists.
For centuries, the Maasai people have lived in harmony with the land and wildlife of Ngorongoro District, a relationship formalized with the establishment of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in 1959. This coexistence is now threatened by government actions that have begun to forcibly relocate approximately 82,000 residents, severely impacting their traditional way of life, health, and education services without adequate consultation or consideration of human rights.
The motion, backed by MEPs Željana Zovko, David McAllister, Vladimír Bilčík, Janina Ochojska, Miriam Lexmann, Michaela Šojdrová, Tomáš Zdechovský, and Ivan Štefanec on behalf of the PPE Group, reflects growing international concern over the Tanzanian government’s treatment of the Maasai. It cites violations of the Maasai’s rights to their ancestral lands, arbitrary arrests, and the use of excessive force in relocations, urging Tanzania to adhere to principles of human rights and the rule of law.
The resolution recalls the European Parliament’s previous stances on Tanzania from 2015 and 2018, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. It emphasizes the need for the Tanzanian government to work collaboratively with the Maasai communities to find a sustainable and just solution that respects their traditional way of life and cultural heritage.
This motion not only signifies the European Parliament’s solidarity with the Maasai people but also sends a strong message to the Tanzanian government to reconsider its approach and engage in transparent, fair, and inclusive dialogue. The resolution has been forwarded to the Government and Parliament of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the European Commission, highlighting the international call for action.
As this story develops, PINGO’s Forum remains committed to providing updates and advocating for the rights and well-being of indigenous communities in Tanzania. The European Parliament’s resolution is a crucial step towards ensuring the protection of such communities, and it is imperative for the international community to continue its support and pressure on the Tanzanian government to uphold human rights and the rule of law.