Saturday 12 June 2021

While Ndumbaro and the MNRT Lull Ngorongoro Leaders to Sleep, Manongi Prepares Full War on the Maasai

 

There have been some developments since the latest blog post. Sadly, the silence in Loliondo continues and the only thing anyone will say is that OBC are busy repairing roads, and back in business, preparing for a visit by Sheikh Mohammed. It may also be of interest that Ndumbaro on 29th May met with the UAE ambassador to Tanzania. Then Loliondo was mentioned in Ndumbaro’s budget speech as if belonging to NCAA. The delays in the EACJ case are most worrying and some people must become more active …


Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the other hand, has been in the news. First as meetings, delegations, and Ngorongoro politicians expressing their gratitude to Minister Ndumbaro for talking to them. Then Manongi arranged a NCAA propaganda spectacle at parliament grounds in Dodoma.




In this blog post:

The eviction notices that were withdrawn

Insistence on eviction notices

Petition

Delegation to Dodoma

Abrupt NCAA HQ relocation

Delegation arranged by the MP

CCM meeting in Endulen

Manongi on parliament grounds

Loliondo in Ndumbaro’s budget speech

Unfair ruling in the case against victims of election violence

New report by the Oakland Institute

Ngorongoro and the genocidal MLUM review proposal


The eviction notices that were withdrawn

While still under the long-term annihilation threat of the Multiple Land Use Model (MLUM) review proposal, as reported in the latest blog post, on 16th April, after Minister Ndumbaro had met with Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) officials, but left without seeing local Ngorongoro leaders who had been waiting for him since early in the morning, some disturbing eviction notices were made public. In these notices, dated 12th April 2021 – and referring to a decision of 4th March by the Ngorongoro Security Committee that’s headed by DC Rashid Mfaume Taka - 45 families accused of returning to Ngorongoro after being relocated to Jema in Sale division in 2006 were ordered to leave Ngorongoro within 30 days from the day the notice was issued on 12th April 2021. Further, more than a hundred houseowners, accused of building their houses without NCAA permit were ordered to demolish them in 30 days at their own cost. On the list were even government buildings, like several primary schools, dispensaries, village offices, a food store, a milk project office, a village veterinary’s house, a maize grinding machine, and even the police station and lockup at Endulen. Other buildings were two churches, a mosque, a Pentecostal nursery school, and a Catholic pre-and primary school.  A third group of approximately 174 other families accused of being illegal immigrants is listed in the notice. While not clearly stated, it was assumed that they too were ordered to leave.

 

The Ngorongoro member of parliament who had stayed shockingly silent about the atrocious abuse to his electorate for the past five years was included in the notice and ordered to demolish his house at his own cost. This time he spoke up in media together with the other gathered leaders in response to the notice. Then, on 19th April a delegation from Ngorongoro held a press conference in Arusha denouncing the eviction notices, the long-term abuse by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) and NCAA, and not least chief conservator Freddy Manongi.

 

Surprisingly, already on 20th April, a letter signed by Manongi himself revoked the eviction and demolition orders until further notice. The reason for this was in the withdrawal letter stated as that the notices caused confusion in the community, even though they did not concern anyone who hadn’t returned to NCA after being relocated or built a house without a permit.

 

Insistence on eviction notices

Some of what has happened after the latest blog post was that Arusha RC Kimanta upon a visit to Jema told those present that the eviction orders against the 45 people that had returned to NCA were still standing. He did however not issue any written order and on 15th May President Samia made changes to Regional Commissioners shifting some to new stations while others were retired, and Kimanta was among those who were retired. Still, on 5th May, Ngorongoro DC Rashid Mfaume Taka was interviewed on Star tv and continued arguing for the evictions of those who had returned from Jema.

 

Petition

On 3rd May, Indigenous People’s Rights International launched a petition with an Appeal to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, to stop the eviction of indigenous pastoralist communities in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This was good help with getting the basic facts about the threat out to more people around the world. The petition, that didn’t go viral, was signed by 124 organizations and 229 individuals from 51 countries, and the appeal was sent to the president on 12th May. The sad part was that the Tanzanian organizations behind this petition were still too afraid to be mentioned, while other organizations, allegedly under the influence of donors with a soft spot for neoliberal conservation, and researchers not from Ngorongoro, wanted it withdrawn, especially since they were having such good talks with Ndumbaro.

 

Delegation to Dodoma

On 3rd May a feedback meeting was held in Endulen to inform the public about a meeting with Ndumbaro by a delegation that went to Dodoma on 27th April. Some information had already been shared about this Dodoma trip that more or less openly (a significant change from the fear and silence of the past years) was arranged by Maanda Ngoitiko of Pastoral Women’s Council, who reportedly knows someone who knows Ndumbaro. Accompanying Maanda was the District Council Chairman and councillor for Endulen, Emmanuel Shangai, and some other ward councillors. The delegation didn’t involve MP Olenasha in any way, which he commented on in social media, with noticeable displeasure. This Dodoma trip was seen as a success, since Ndumbaro had said that the Multiple Land Use Model review would start afresh and in a participatory manner, which is what Ndumbaro’s predecessor Kigwangalla said multiple times before each time returning the same proposal for evictions. Ndumbaro had said that Permanent Secretary Kijazi would go to Ngorongoro for talks with NCAA and the Pastoral Council (that ostensibly represent the local pastoralists in the NCAA). He had also asked the delegation to tell those communicating with Tundu Lissu to stop doing so, “or else”. This message was forwarded to activists that had participated in online panels with the opposition politician whose body was perforated by 16 bullets in 2017.

 





The feedback meeting in Endulen on the 3rd was attended by journalists and there are some news clips in which various leaders express their gratitude for Ndumbaro’s willingness to come to the discussion table. Though they also had some good points explaining the problem to the press, like William ole Seki who was thankful, and said that he had reminded the minister of the problems with chief conservator Manongi. He then talked about having witnessed a tourism investor in a recent NCAA meeting calling for evictions of Ngorongoro people, and how he was saddened by the lack of humanity, or any understanding of how Ngorongoro is the way it is because it has been protected by the people living there. Ole Seki stressed that Ngorongoro people are a community, depend on each other, and can’t be sent in different directions, adding that cattle are life, culture and identity, and don’t threaten the environment. Johanes Tiamisi, councillor of Kakesio, was also grateful, but reminded of how Ndumbaro on 16th April left Ngorongoro without meeting local leaders, after being misled that they were carrying placards, which they of course were not. (I’d like to add that you shouldn’t be a minister if you can’t stomach people with placards, but Tanzanian ministers are sensitive souls indeed …) Emmanuel ole Shangai reminded that what they had sought from the government was an opportunity for discussion and to fully participate in finding a solution. He mentioned the MLUM review report as totally disregarding the views of Ngorongoro residents, just like the General Management Plan and the Law Reform Commission. Now the minister had agreed to start everything afresh – together. Shutuk Kitamwas, vice chair of the Pastoral Council, like everyone else thanked Ndumbaro, brought up the eviction from Serengeti, said that they (Ngorongoro people) are not ready to be divided, and should in such a case be returned to where they came from (Serengeti) and not anywhere else. He said that they should be involved in the new report from start to finish. Customary leader Metui ole Shaudo explained that Ngorongoro can’t be a World Heritage without first being the heritage of Ngorongoro people, and that evicting them doesn’t make sense. Special seats councillor Nalepo Emmanuel wanted to remind the president of having voted for her (that's questionable), of having been evicted from Moru and that this was their district and the only home they have and where they live with and protect wild animals. She called on the government to recognise them as Tanzanians and the legitimate residents of Ngorongoro. All these people – while unbearably grateful – were, as is almost always the case, far more eloquent and heartfelt than I have the language skills to transmit here.

 

Those less grateful sense that Ngorongoro people may once again be sitting at the same table and working with criminals who have tricked them into their trap to make them dance to their tune.

 

On 14th and 15th May three representatives from each of the 11 wards in Ngorongoro division met in Karatu to reach a proposal to present to the MNRT.

 

Abrupt NCAA headquarters move

Some people had since early May been mentioning that NCAA staff had been informed about a plan, or decision actually, to move the NCAA headquarters out of Ngorongoro and to Karatu, quite abruptly indeed, before the end of May! On 18th May Manongi made the decision public, alleging environmental concerns. Speculations about the real reason abound, but are just speculations.

 

By the end of May 2021, NCAA had already relocated their offices to Karatu and the staff are now working directly from Karatu. I’ve been told that when the first notice was issued on 12th April 2021 to demolish properties within the conservation area, it seems like there was not yet a plan to move the NCAA headquarter to Karatu as none of their own premises was listed. There was also no mention of the potential move. The first 30-day notice against the residents of Ngorongoro and the abrupt move of the NCAA headquarter from Ngorongoro to Karatu signal how NCAA decisions are routinely taken without any due consideration.

 

Delegation arranged by the MP

On 20th May another delegation, this time consisting of most, or maybe all, councillors from Ngorongoro division (NCA) went to Dodoma to again visit Ndumbaro. This meeting was arranged by Ngorongoro MP and Deputy Minister Olenasha who advised the delegates not to submit the report that they had prepared in Karatu. They got many promises from the government but failed to ask for a written letter detailing these promises.



Kijazi in Karatu

Allan Kijazi permanent secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism on 25th May brought together the NCAA management and local representatives from the NCA community in Karatu. Again, the message was that the Multiple Land Use Model review process would start afresh. Reportedly, local leaders were felt optimistic indeed and failed to demand the removal of chief conservator Manongi, which is a demand that they have repeatedly voiced at other times.

 

CCM meeting in Endulen

On 27th May, a CCM ruling party meeting was held in Endulen. Present was the district and regional party leadership, and the Secretary General of the CCM Parents’ Wing, Erasto Sima, who joined the fight against invasive weeds and used the occasion to praise the NCAA management. Invasive weeds are serious problem in Ngorongoro and it seem like it’s another problem that the NCAA can’t handle, and won’t listen to indigenous experts, but instead blame them for weeds in areas that they don’t have access to.

 

Reportedly, at the meeting in Endulen women were crying and saying that God is their only remaining hope, and there were calls for the revocation of Manongi´s appointment as Chief Conservator. As high-ranking party officials so often do, Sima promised to bring community representatives to meet President Samia.

 

Manongi on parliament grounds

While Kijazi was engaging Ngorongoro representatives in Karatu surfaced reports that chief conservator Manongi had organised a week-long engagement with parliamentarians in Dodoma starting on 28th May, paid by NCAA money – and maybe also a donor (not yet confirmed) - in an initiative to make legislators pass a draft bill into new law of NCA, under certificate of urgency. T-shirts, caps and flyers were reportedly being printed at A to Z factory in Arusha, and buses had been prepared to bring legislators to Ngorongoro.

 

Then, on 31st May the NCAA went public with their special exhibition showing “conservation, tourism, and community development” at the parliament grounds in Dodoma from 31st May to 4th June 2021. The NCAA published pictures of Ndumbaro handing over filled Ngorongoro-printed textile bags to people such as the Dodoma RC and to a businesswoman, or influencer, who’s the ex-wife of a most regime-friendly bongo flava artist. This exhibition was presented as promoting domestic tourism to Ngorongoro. Strangely, there has hardly been any media coverage at all. On 5th June, Manongi and delegates from Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority met the Deputy Speaker Tulia Ackson who reportedly promised to arrange the parliamentarians’ visit to Ngorogoro in what sources fear is a plan to discuss the bill to amend the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Ordinance.


 



Manongi has often arranged “workshops” for journalists that get to do some domestic tourism for free, and in September 2020 the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs together with ministry staff also got the opportunity to enjoy the World Heritage Site.

 

Loliondo in Ndumbaro’s budget speech

Several days after Ndumbaro on 4th June presented the 2021-2022 financial year budget speech for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, I was alerted to that he had mentioned that the NCAA will construct three entrance gates (for collecting fees from visitors) to Loliondo Game Controlled Area (LGCA). It’s now feared that this means that NCAA will annex the areas of LGCA that were threatened in the MLUM review proposal – which would be the most grievous contempt of the East African Court of Justice where the Loliondo case continues.

 

Yet another confused detail was that among premises to be repaired by the NCAA, Ndumbaro mentioned the same police station in Endulen that the NCAA ordered to be demolished in its 12th May 2021 notice.

 

Unfair ruling in the case against victims of election violence

After many postponements, there were finally (5th and 11th May) hearings in the court case against victims of election violence in Ngorongoro, and an unfair (even if it could have been much worse) ruling was delivered before I could publish this blog post.

 

The accused in the case were Paulo Neepai Olorru, Gabriel Kone Leyan and Meshuko Lesitik, all of whom were shot when police and NCAA rangers opened fire at unarmed civilians in a plot to oust opposition polling agents and cast fake ballots at the Oloirobi polling station on election day, 28th October 2020.

 

The other accused were CHADEMA Ngorongoro ward councillor candidate Tubulu Nebasi, who was not even at the polling station in Oloirobi, and former CCM councillor Daniel Orkery.

 

The charges were for rioting at the polling station, assaulting an assistant returning officer and a guard, and damaging ballot boxes and ballot papers.

 

23-year old Salula Ngorisiolo was killed by the bullets fired by police and NCAA rangers.

 

There’s still no case against the killers or those who injured civilians with live ammunition.

 

It’s a sad reminder that what happened, and especially in areas where an opposition victory was feared, means that absolutely all political representatives, in Ngorongoro and all over Tanzania, are thoroughly illegitimate.

 

The ruling was delivered on 10th June. Paulo Neepai Olorru and Gabriel Kone Leyan were convicted on one count of riot and one count of damaging ballot boxes, and sentenced to a TShs 100,000 fine each for each count, or 1 year imprisonment, in total TShs 400,000, or 200,000 each. If there were any justice, they would have been awarded medals, not convicted. The other three accused were acquitted.

 

New report by the Oakland Institute

On 10th May, the Oakland Institute released a report and press release about The LoomingThreat of Eviction: The Continued Displacement of the Maasai Under the Guise ofConservation in Ngorongoro Conservation Area revealing the eviction threat and dismantling myths. In 2018, The Oakland Institute first published a report about Ngorongoro (and Loliondo, which I commented on at the time) that was received with aggression by Kigwangalla and the MNRT. They have also earlier reported about the MLUM review threat. We will see if there’s any reaction from the Tanzanian government this time.

 

Ngorongoro and the genocidal MLUM review proposal

When the Maasai were evicted from Serengeti in 1959 by the colonial government, as a compromise deal, they were guaranteed the right to continue occupying Ngorongoro Conservation Area as a multiple land-use area administered by the government, in which natural resources would be conserved primarily for their interest, but with due regard for wildlife. This promise was not kept, and tourism revenue has turned into the paramount interest, while the human rights situation has deteriorated, which was worsened by the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1975, the Maasai living inside Ngorongoro Crater were violently evicted, and the same year cultivation was prohibited in NCA. This cultivation ban was lifted in 1992 but re-introduced in 2009 after threats from the UNESCO. The people of NCA, living under the authoritarian rule of the NCAA, are not allowed to grow crops or build modern houses, and have the past years been losing access to one grazing area after the other. They lost grazing and saltlicks in Ngorongoro crater in 2017, which chief conservator Freddy Manongi stretched to include the Northern Highland Forest, Embakaai and Olmoti craters as well as the Lake Ndutu basin (through order and without required change to the Ordinance and without the MP speaking up in objection). As a result, the Maasai residents of NCA are suffering from high levels of child malnutrition, while throughout the years they have been shaken by rumours and threats of eviction.

 

In March 2019, a joint monitoring mission from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) once again visited Ngorongoro and in their report reminded that they wanted the MLUM review completed to see the results and offer advice, while again complaining about the visual impact of settlements with “modern” houses, and so on. This did not bode well as recommendations and concerns from the UNESCO had in the past repeatedly led to a worsened human rights situation. In September 2019, chief conservator Freddy Manongi announced the MLUM review report proposal, which is so destructive that it would lead to the end of Maasai livelihoods and culture in Ngorongoro District.

 

The proposal of the MLUM review report is to divide Ngorongoro into zones, with an extensive “core conservation zone” that is to be a no-go zone for livestock and herders. In NCA this includes the Ngorongoro Highland Forest, with the three craters Ngorongoro, Olmoti and Empakaai where grazing these past few years has already been banned through order. This has led to a loss of 90% of grazing and water for Nainokanoka, Ngorongoro, Misigiyo wards, and a 100% loss of natural saltlicks for livestock in these wards. The proposal is to do the same with Oldupai Gorge, Laitoli footprints, and the Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek basins. In the rest of Ngorongoro District, the proposal is for NCAA to annex the Lake Natron basin (including areas of Longido and Monduli districts) and the 1,500 km2 Osero in Loliondo and Sale Divisions and designate most of these areas to be no-go zones for pastoralists and livestock. These huge areas include many villages and are important grazing areas, the loss of which would have disastrous knock-on effects on lives and livelihoods elsewhere. The reason for including Loliondo and Lake Natron - expanding NCA from 8,292 km² to 12,404 km2 - is in the report explained as an estimated 25% loss of tourism revenue for NCA when the upgrading of the Mto-wa-Mbu - Loliondo road has been finished and tourists will use that route to Serengeti.

 


The proposal for the 1,500 km2 Osero in Loliondo to a large extent fulfils what OBC, that organizes hunting for Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai, have been lobbying for since before funding the old - in 2011 rejected - land use plan proposing it. In the Osero 1,038 km2 are to be for tourism (hunting, unlike in the rest of NCA, “core conservation sub-zone”) conservation, and research while all other human activities will be banned. It will be a no-go zone for herders and livestock, while 462 km2 of Loliondo GCA in Malambo in Sale division is proposed to be the same, except that some grazing will be “allowed” (“transitional zone”). Though any move to annex the 1,500 km2 Osero to NCA and implement this plan would be contempt of court, due to the ongoing case in the East African Court of Justice, where the Tanzanian government finds itself sued for its violent attempts at alienating this land. Currently this case is delayed and apparently stuck in a most worrying way.

 

As reported in earlier blog posts, the reactions from leaders and common villagers in Ngorongoro division against the MLUM review proposal were immediate and have been kept up – sometimes weak and apparently naïve, sometimes serious and to the point – while an ostrich strategy has been practiced in Loliondo. The protests have, now repeatedly, led to promises from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of doing the review afresh and in a “participatory manner”, and then the ministry has returned the same proposal. We will see what happens with Ndumbaro’s promises. Meanwhile chief conservator Manongi is unfortunately not being lazy at all.

 

Susanna Nordlund is a working-class person based in Sweden who since 2010 has been blogging about Loliondo (now increasingly also about NCA) and has her fingerprints thoroughly registered with Immigration so that she will not be able to enter Tanzania through any border crossing, ever again. She has never worked for any NGO or intelligence service and hasn’t earned a shilling from her Loliondo work. She can be reached at sannasus@hotmail.com

 

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