The evolution of events concerning the precarious situation of the Maasai communities in northern Tanzania are moving so quickly. Last week, AEFJN brought to you the MISA (Maasai International Solidarity Alliance) newsletter or rather diary to highlight some of the travails of the Maasai in their land. We are bringing to you the second part of the MISA newsletter to bring the diary up to date.

The newsletter offers first-hand insights into what is currently happening in Ngorongoro and Loliondo as well as other areas facing land dispossession by the Tanzanian Government. New items include:

  • Tanzanian High Court rules that Pololeti Game Controlled Area (Loliondo) was established illegally.
  • Human rights lawyer Joseph Moses Oleshangay gathers testimonies from people arrested in recent weeks in connection to the ongoing forced evictions in Ngorongoro.
  • Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu denied entry into NCA and arrested for holding ‘unlawful assembly’.
  • Two women from Ngorongoro arrested.
  • Maasai gather for Pololet Court Ruling expected on 11 September – Ruling postponed as judge is in transit.
  • Maasai leaders from 17 districts denounce state-organised Maasai Festival: “This fake festival is misusing Maasai culture.”
  • Maasai councillors from Loliondo once again reject proposed land-use plan.
  • Maasai of Loliondo come in great numbers to meet Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu
  • More pressure on the community, more resistance to the perpetrators
  • Three Green/EFA MEPs denied entry to Tanzanian territory.
  • NCAA rangers invade home in Ormekeke and arrest Councillor for Alaitole Ward
  • Tanzania to be hosting the 77th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Arusha

We share this with you to keep you informed about these developments and hope you will share with us any news of what we can do together at any level to ameliorate the situation of the Maasai.  Open the link to read the newsletter.