It’s been some
time since I wrote a summary about OBC and the 1,500 km2, a lot has happened,
and there has been much misinformation, mostly from government and “investors”,
but unfortunately also from well-meaning quarters.
Very short
version:
OBC have been hunting in Loliondo since 1993.
There were extrajudicial evictions in 2009 from the
sought-after 1,500 km2 next to Serengeti National Park. People eventually moved
back.
In 2011 a draft district land use plan – funded by OBC
– proposed turning the 1,500 km2 into a protected area. This was strongly
rejected by the district council.
In 2013 Minister Kagasheki made statements threatening
to take the 1,500 km2. The threat was revoked by the PM, who said the land belonged
to the Maasai that should continue their lives as before. This promise has not
been put in writing.
After 2013 there haven’t been any open official statements from the Tanzanian government announcing
any interest in grabbing land in Loliondo.
There have however been alleged threats in closed
meetings, and a media campaign against the Maasai of Loliondo. A written
declaration from the government is needed, and so is continued vigilance.
The sections of
this blog post are:
Loliondogate in the 90s
New Millennium
The Extrajudicial Evictions in 2009
The District Land Use Plan Revealed in 2011
Kagasheki’s Horrible and Twisted Threat in 2013
The Confusion in 2014
