The crime
The confessions of crime
Leading up to the crime
The big inciter
Complicity in crime
OBC are not alone
The victims’ ally?
Failure to act against the crime
Ordering the crime
Why was Maghembe fired?
Between hope and despair
Shooting cows
26th October
Sensational news
Visit by the new deputy minister for
livestock
Unknown
The new Minister for Natural
Resources and Tourism, Hamisi Kigwangalla, on 26th October in a
public meeting in Wasso stopped the illegal operation by rangers that have
committed arson, brutal physical assault and illegal seizing of cattle on
village land. I don’t understand why this operation started on 13th
August, and I don’t understand exactly why it was stopped. On 27th
October in Ololosokwan, Kigwangalla said that OBC’s hunting block won’t be
renewed, which is sensational news indeed if implemented.
Updates at the end.
The crime
Very
unexpectedly from 13th to 26th August some 250 bomas (241
according to the perpetrators, and then there was more arson on 25th
September) were burned to the ground by rangers from Serengeti National Park
and Ngorongoro Conservation Area assisted by local Loliondo police – and
others, namely OBC and KDU (anti-poaching, close to OBC) rangers - and
thousands of people were left without food or shelter. Cows were dispersed
during this extreme drought, and there was terror and panic everywhere. The
arson started in the Oloosek area of Ololosokwan village where a Serengeti
ranger had shot the herder Parmoson Ololoso in both legs and one arm on 8th
August, and then it continued all the way to Piyaya 90 km further south.
Village centres became congested with people and animals, and they were blocked
from accessing water sources. Those returning after the illegal evictions were
brutally beaten by the rangers and some arrested and sent to Mugumu at the
other side of Serengeti National Park. Cattle were seized, and big fines
demanded. All this did not happen in any protected area, but on village land
that per Village Land Act No.5 of 1999 should be managed by the local villages.
The confessions of crime
A
press statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, quoting the
DC, didn’t deny the crime but presented illegal evictions and arson on village
land as something legitimate to protect the environment and the tourism
business. The now ex-minister Maghembe, on the other hand started lying that
the land under attack would already be the 1,500 km2 protected area that the
investor, OBC - that uses it as a core hunting area, and organises hunting for
Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai - has been lobbying for.
Leading up to the crime
The
timing of the criminal operation was unexpected since, at a most threatening
time when many activists had been intimidated into silence, OBC presented a
report about the Maasai threat to the environment and PM Majaliwa tasked Arusha
RC Gambo with “solving the conflict”. The RC set up a select committee that on
20th April handed a compromise proposal to Majaliwa, and when the
arson started everyone was still waiting for the PM’s decision.
The big inciter
OBC,
before presenting to the press their report asking the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Tourism to take action against the Maasai in November 2016, and
then presenting it to the RC’s committee in January this year, have earlier
been working in many other ways, both openly and otherwise. In 2009 together
with the paramilitary Field Force Unit, OBC’s rangers committed the same kind
of human rights abuse that has recently been committed in Loliondo with mass
arson and other violence during a bad drought. That time a 7-year old girl,
Nashipai Gume, was lost in the chaos and has never been found, ever since.
After
this atrocity, the hunters “reconciled” with some leaders in Loliondo, weren’t
going to disturb grazing again, and built village offices. Though, in November 2009 OBC's general manager, Isaack Mollel, boasted to the press that OBC had given the
Office of the Arusha Regional Commissioner TShs. 156 million for land use
planning (Habari Leo 23-11-2009), and in February 2010, the then Minister for
Lands, John Chiligati, declared that the Government had set aside TShs.157
million for land use planning in Loliondo (Guardian 25-2-2010). The resulting
irregular, non-participatory draft District Land Use Plan proposed turning the
1,500 km2 of important grazing land that’s OBC core hunting area into a
“protected area”. The plan was rejected by Ngorongoro District Council.
In 2013 the then Minister for Natural
Resources and Tourism, Khamis Kagasheki, in another attempt to grab the 1,500
km2 from the Maasai, shamelessly lied that the whole 4,000 km2 Loliondo Game Controlled Area (OBC’s hunting block that’s more than the whole of Loliondo Division of
Ngorongoro District) would be a “protected area”, and the Maasai “landless”
people who would be “gifted” with 2,500 km2 (containing agricultural land,
forests, two “towns”, and district administrative offices) while the government
would “keep” the 1,500 km2! After mass meetings, protest delegations to Dar es
Salaam and Dodoma, and support from both CCM and Chadema, on 23rd
September 2013, then PM Pinda revoked Kahasheki’s threats and told the Maasai
to continue their lives on what obviously was village land per Village Land Act
No.5 of 1999.
Sadly,
OBC also have the resources to “befriend” people and play divide and rule, and
they have very much used this. Allegedly, their local friends (employees,
corrupt politicians, central government employees, and others) have a lot to
gain by stirring up conflict and chaos.
Complicity in crime
Activism
for land rights in Loliondo is risky, since representatives of central
government have almost always sided with the “investors” against the people,
and don’t only have the normal democratic state (or “government” as it’s said
it Tanzania) powers, but also use arbitrary lawlessness and behaviours of a
dictatorial regime. Besides threats and defamation, there have been illegal
arrests and malicious prosecution with bizarre bogus charges. Added to this is
now the fear of being shot by “unknown people” (wasiojulikana). Parts of the
press, and foremost Manyerere Jackton of the Jamhuri paper, have also sided
with OBC throwing any ethical concerns to the wind. This “journalist” has
written over 40 articles with extreme hate speech against the Loliondo Maasai
claiming that 70% of them would be “Kenyan” and governed by corrupt NGOs, and
he has made up the most headless defamatory stories about different individuals.
Sadly, the word “Kenyan” incites a xenophobic reflex in many Tanzanians that aren’t
too concerned about facts, and many also believe stories about “30 NGOs” that
incite against OBC to get international funds and benefit “Western investors”.
There are two NGOs that used to
speak up for land rights, but they have been intimidated into silence.
OBC are not alone
While
the RC’s committee was at work finding a “solution to the conflict” ex-minister
Maghembe appeared in Loliondo – with the worst anti-Loliondo “journalists” declaring
that the 1,500 km2 had to be taken before the end of March, and then in March he brought the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and
Tourism for such a co-opted Loliondo trip that several members complained about
being used to rubber stamp Maghembe’s wish of giving the land to OBC.
The
RC’s committee was working with two options: OBC’s 1,500 km2 Game Controlled
Area as per Wildlife Conservation Act 2009, which means land loss,
environmental destruction and increased conflict, since the Maasai obviously
need to go somewhere, or a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which means that the
land is still village land, but more power is given to the Director of Wildlife,
and to the “investor”, for whom grazing areas must be set aside. WMAs are
usually imposed under heavy coercion and then presented as community
initiatives, and the Loliondo Maasai have been able to reject the idea for over
a decade and a half, but now all leaders saw it as the only way out, and when
the RC’s committee reached the decision of a WMA it was seen as a victory.
OBC’s
position was supported by the directors of the parastatals within the Ministry
for Natural Resources and Tourism, and according to the Serengeti Chief Park
Warden, Mwakilema, also by the Germans. In March he told Maghembe’s co-opted
standing committee that funds from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the state owned German Development
Bank (KfW), for a Serengeti Ecosystem Development and Conservation Project
implemented by Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and TANAPA, were subject to
the approval of the land use plan that would alienate the 1,500 km2 for a
protected area, which has neither been confirmed nor denied by the Germans. FZS
has campaigned against the Maasai of the Serengeti ecosystem since the 1950s
and for many year, together with the Tanzanian government they tried to impose
a WMA on Loliondo. When their wish was within reach it seems like they wanted
more.
The victims’ ally?
The
RC declared that the committee’s work would go on regardless of Maghembe’s statements
and became the Loliondo leaders’ “only ally”, but there were wild protests
wherever the committee went to look at “critical areas”, which was quite
awkward for the leaders. Then the RC didn’t say a word about the illegal
invasion of village land and human rights abuse committed by rangers that went
on for two months. Are the wananchi now as intimidated and ready for a WMA as
their leaders?
Failure to act against the crime
The
reputation of many leaders in Loliondo has been seriously damaged by the
illegal invasion on village land and prolonged human rights abuse. Their
silence and inaction can, in the best case, be explained with fear. Many of
them were already more or less shady characters, but the MP, Olenasha, was
trusted by everyone, within and outside CCM, for his seriousness regarding land
issues, and his silence is inexplicable. Among those that have spoken out are
the councillors of Ololosokwan and Soitsambu, the chairmen of Ololosokwan,
Kirtalo, Olorien and Arash, the CCM secretary of Ololosokwan, and the Chadema
special seats councillor, Tina Timan. Onesmo Olengurumwa and four
representatives from Loliondo visited CHRAGG that issued a stop order that was
ignored.
Apparently
the councillors issued a joint statement that I haven’t got hold of – with some
delay – on 30th October!
On
21st September, Ololosokwan, Kirtalo, Olorien and Arash versus the
Attorney General was filed in the East African Court of Justice.
Ordering the crime
The
operation was ordered by the DC, Rashid Mfaume Taka, as head of the security
committee, and a former university lecturer became a human rights criminal.
This operation was planned together with Tanzania National Parks Authority
(TANAPA) that also wanted to be seen as funding it. Does the president know
anything about Loliondo? Does he care?
Why was Maghembe fired?
A delegation from Ololosokwan visited the
Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, and then Raila talked to his friend President Magufuli who allegedly said that
everyone involved would be fired, and two days later Maghembe and his deputy
were removed in the cabinet reshuffle on 7th October. Magufuli was also met with, and
collected, protest placards about Loliondo and Maghembe after commissioning
officer cadets in Arusha. There was hope that Loliondo was a reason for firing
Maghembe, but there were other reasons as well, and the new minister, Hamisi
Kigwangalla, was ignorant, arrogant and frankly dangerous as deputy minister
for health. It’s believed that CCM must do some serious damage control not to
be wiped out in Ngorongoro in 2020 – and after Kigwangalla’s statements when
visiting Loliondo 26th-27th October it does indeed seem
like it’s what was done.
Between hope and despair
Kigwangalla
said some disappointing words when he was inaugurated, and a few days later the
spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamza Tembo,
published the most horrible article in favour of the illegal operation. Instead
of listening to the victims of crimes by rangers, on 19th October
Kigwangalla issued a delirious letter ordering 6,000 alien cows and 200 (!)
alien tractors out of Loliondo, which sounded like the typical distraction used
by friends of investors. Things got a bit better on the 22nd when
Kigwangalla ordered the re-issuing of 2018-2022 hunting blocks through auction,
and said that hunting blocks with conflict wouldn’t be renewed until the
conflict was solved. Could this be a way to get rid of OBC? Though then the
timetable for Kigwangalla’s visit to Ngorongoro district didn’t show any
meeting with victims. When Kigwangalla finally came to Loliondo there was the
best possible news: he stopped the illegal operation.
Shooting cows
On
25th October, the day before Kigwangalla’s visit, 80 cows belonging
to Sembere Kijuku from Arash were shot in Olembuya between Arash and Piyaya by
Serengeti National Park rangers. A similar atrocity was committed by NCA
rangers at Oldupai (Olduvai) on 26th September when two pregnant donkeys were
shot. There are unconfirmed reports about other shootings in Arash and Maaloni,
but not after Kigwangalla’s visit.
26th October
Kigwangalla
arrived in Loliondo wearing rangers fatigues and met with the criminal security
committee, but later he held an open meeting in which he described the
fundamental problem as the increase of people and cattle, which is something
the villages must deal with in their land use plans and by other means, but
it’s also something that those that want to take their land have been telling
them for a century or so. If consulting with any outside entity it should be
with those with proven good will, and not with the “investors”, the Ministry
for Natural Resources and Tourism, or “Germans”. The loss of land and ongoing
scheming for taking more land wasn’t mentioned as a fundamental issue, nor the
immense value of the land for outside interests, like investors and
conservation organisations. The minister said the problem isn’t solved by one
side using guns, but at the same time he mentioned that the other side using
harsh words doesn’t solve anything either and must be stopped (when the side
with the words is too intimidated to even use them!) and thereby he showed an
astonishing lack of understanding of power relations. Or, I’ve been told that
he understands, but is very “diplomatic”. Time will tell. The good part is that
he stopped the “operation” and ordered cows not involved in any court case to
be released, not only in Loliondo, but all over Tanzania where someone under
his ministry is holding cows instead of doing conservation work. He declared
the way forward as participatory conservation, but also saying that the
conflict was now on the table of the PM, which he couldn’t say anything about
here today. So, we’re back at waiting for Majaliwa, and the Serengeti ecosystem
is full of rangers walking around free after having committed mass arson,
beatings and illegal seizing of cows. Those ordering the crimes are also
walking free.
Kigwangalla
is apparently now seen as a hero by many in Loliondo.
Sensational news
On
the 27th Kigwangalla was taken on a tour of areas of interest and
shown animals reported to only have appeared after the arson attack, as if that
would justify it if true. In the evening there was a stop in Ololosokwan. People
who are really clueless about Loliondo started reporting in social media that
Kigwangalla would have said that he’ll send OBC packing back to Dubai, but
those from Loliondo just kept talking about the stopping of the “operation”. Horrible
abuse has been initiated and stopped before, but OBC have never been sent
packing. I was told the reason for the silence was disbelief. On the 29th
Mussa Juma in the Mwananchi paper reported that Kigwangalla would have said
that OBC’s days are counted. He would have told people to be patient while the
government solves the Loliondo problems, and said that if he wanted OBC’s
permit to end in January they weren’t going to renew it. The Mwananchi reported
Kigwangalla as saying that the reasons were many, but among them the fact that
the law doesn’t allow hunting blocks to be issued in areas with conflict, and
that OBC isn’t using the whole 4,500 km2 (4,000?) hunting block. Though the latter
isn’t really a problem at all, except for OBC themselves. The problem, besides
shooting wildlife, allegedly (but without any proper reports for over a
decade) sometimes not keeping to the law, is that OBC keep inciting conflict
and lobby for turning the area that they do use into a “protected area”.
According Edward Qorro to the Guardian (the Tanzanian paper) Kigwangalla said OBC won’t be considered
for licence renewal due to involvement in alleged human rights abuse and the
over 25 years dispute, adding that OBC are “alleged” to be using wildlife
rangers and local police to evict people from their homes. Well, they also use
the DC and it’s in black on white on official document.
On
ITV and on the very anti-Loliondo Channel 10, Kigwangalla is shown saying that
OBC will have left by January, since that’s what he’s decided, but that even
so, there won’t be more grazing, or water, and the area won’t increase. I would
have said that in that case, at least one
of those that want to take even more
land from the Maasai will have left.
Channel
10 also showed Kigwangalla talking about a broken national park beacon and
saying that he’d seen Kenyan bomas. I don’t know how he knew that. Did they
have they Kenyan flag on the roof, or was he told by OBC, Mwakilema, DC, or
someone?
Visit by the new Deputy Minister for
Livestock
In
the afternoon of Sunday 29thOctober the new Deputy Minister for
Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega, came to Ololosokwan. He complained
about not having been informed by the District Executive Director, about the
seizing of cows and he ordered the district council to build several livestock
services. Ulega said that he would talk with the Ministry of Natural Resources
and Tourism about the importance of grazing areas. According to the press,
everyone present agreed to be patient and work with the government. Maybe
orders about Loliondo are indeed coming from the highest level of government.
The deputy minister came together with the DC who ordered the very violent and
very illegal “operation”.
The Jamhuri…
The
frontpage of 31/10–6/11 issue of the anti-Loliondo paper Jamhuri didn’t carry
any surprises. In big letters Manyerere Jackton proclaims that Kigwangalla messed
up (alikoroga) that he issued an order contradicting the one of the president, that
he ordered a stop to the operation removing livestock from protected areas, that
workers say they won’t implement it unless given written instructions, and that
he’s revoked the hunting blocks granted by Maghembe. Manyerere pretends that
Kigwangalla has stopped an operation in a protected area, when what’s stopped
is an illegal attack on village land. The “journalist” also expresses how sorry
he feels for the “conservationists” (human rights criminals) that have been
stopped by a new minister who doesn’t understand anything. Even though
Manyerere’s attack on Kigwangalla was rather mild compared to the insane
defamatory stories the “journalist” has made up about other people, the
minister expressed his dismay, and in social media demanded an apology.
Unknown
The
least impressionable among the Loliondo Maasai think that the new holder of the
hunting block (whoever it is, and there are some ideas …) would be the investor
of the government’s long-wanted WMA that “elites” had already been “convinced”
to want, and now mass arson, beatings and illegal seizing of cows may have succeeded
in making common people ready to initiate by their own “free will”, since
that’s “participatory conservation”.
Now
the opportunity of getting rid of OBC can’t be lost, but most important of all
is to secure the 1,500 km2 osero, and not allow any more invasions in the future.
TANAPA and its Germans will still be around, and maybe others as well.
Update: On 3rd November both Channel 10 and ITV had new pieces with rangers complaining about cattle in Loliondo, and on 4th November Serengeti rangers
illegally seized cows on village land in the Enalubo,
Empipir, Endashat, Mederi, and Irkikai areas of Ololosokwan, and drove
them into Serengeti National Park, to the lobo area.
Susanna Nordlund
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