Tanzania

Press Releases & Public Statements

Pastoralists recounting the murder of Mr. Igembe. Source: East Africa TV
Press Release
World Bank-Funded TANAPA Rangers Murder Two Villagers in Ruaha National Park
In two separate incidents, TANAPA rangers have murdered two young men and seized over 1,000 heads of cattle within the expanded Ruaha National Park.The World Bank’s now cancelled REGROW project enabled the expansion of the park and the capacity of the rangers who committed the murders.The latest killings and cattle seizures violate the Tanzanian government’s promises to the Bank that the violence by rangers would end and livelihood activities will continue within the park.Last month, the Bank committed to supervising an action plan to address
A Maasai pastoralist stands beside a beacon marking expansion of Ruaha National Park to consume his village and make communities trespassers in their own lands © The Oakland Institute
Press Release
World Bank Fails to Remedy Harms it Caused in Tanzania, Despite a Scathing Investigation by its Inspection Panel
Inspection Panel’s investigation confirms “critical failure” of the World Bank in planning and supervision of REGROW project, which resulted in “serious harm” to villagers in Tanzania.The project enabled the expansion of the Ruaha National Park, triggering forced evictions, and funded TANAPA rangers who committed human rights abuses in blatant violation of World Bank’s safeguards and operating procedures.The devastation wrought by the Bank’s financing impacts at least 84,000 people who face evictions.
Maasai women impacted by World Bank REGROW project
Press Release
The World Bank Must Be Held Accountable for Harm Inflicted on Tanzanian Communities by Tourism Project
The World Bank’s Board of Directors is currently reviewing a proposed Management Action Plan (MAP) to address the findings of the Inspection Panel investigation into the REGROW tourism project in Southern Tanzania.By enabling the expansion of Ruaha National Park from one to over two million hectares, the REGROW project destroyed the livelihoods of over 84,000 people who face forced evictions and are prohibited from farming and grazing.Paramilitary rangers, funded and equipped by the Bank, are responsible for human rights abuses, including torture
Cover image
Press Release
World Bank Project Cancelled in a Landmark Victory for Tanzanian Villagers
In a major victory for Tanzanian pastoralists and farmers, the World Bank funded REGROW project, which enabled extrajudicial killings, human rights abuses, livelihood restrictions and forced evictions to expand Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA) is cancelled.Amidst an ongoing investigation by the independent Inspection Panel, the Bank first suspended the project in April 2024, citing the Tanzanian government’s noncompliance with safeguards for resettlement and grievance mechanisms.The cancellation comes after nine United Nations Special Rapporteurs exp

Audio & Video

Historic mobilization of over 40,000 Maasai protesting against their eviction from the NCA in August
Podcast
Maasai Rise to Defend Ancestral Land ft. Joseph Oleshangay
Communities are under siege as the Tanzanian government wages a war on the Maasai way of life. In recent years, the government has escalated forced evictions and devastating livelihood restrictions to expand so-called protected areas. Despite the stewardship of the Maasai, this is shockingly being done under the guise of protecting the environment. On today’s episode we are going to take a close look at this campaign in Northern Tanzania, specifically in the world famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area or NCA.
Video thumbnail
Video
NCA Rangers' Violence Against Maasai Herders in Tanzania
On July 13, 2023, 15-year-old Joshua Kirtila Patoro was attacked by NCA rangers while watching over cattle near his village in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. Joshua and his mother provided this testimony to the Oakland Institute in the hope that their call for justice is heard and supported internationally.
Video thumbnail
Video
Dan Rather Reports on AgriSol in Tanzania
View excerpts and the full episode of Dan Rather's reporting on land grabs in Tanzania and interview with the Oakland Institute executive director Anuradha Mittal. "As populations expand and food prices hit record highs, international investors are hoping to strike it rich in an unlikely place, Africa. We investigate one controversial deal and the surprising cast of players involved – including one of America’s oldest land grant universities."Original episode details here.