Our Cause
Land Evictions: Threatening Our Existence
The Maasai people have inhabited their ancestral lands for centuries, living in harmony with nature and preserving their rich cultural heritage. However, the Maasai community is now facing severe threats of forced evictions, encroachments, and land grabs. These actions not only displace our people but also endanger our way of life, traditions, and future generations.
The encroachment upon our lands disrupts the delicate ecological balance, leading to irreparable damage to the environment and biodiversity. The loss of our land directly affects our ability to maintain our cultural practices, sustain our livelihoods, and pass down ancestral knowledge to future generations.
Violence and Human Rights Abuses
The evictions and land conflicts have resulted in a surge of violence and human rights abuses against the Maasai people. Discrimination, harassment, physical violence, and the violation of our basic human rights have become all too common. This violence not only inflicts immediate harm but also leaves long-lasting scars on our community.
We strongly condemn these acts of violence and stand united against any form of oppression and injustice. Our mission is to secure justice, safety, and dignity for the Maasai people and ensure that our voices are heard and respected.
Preserving the Ecosystem
The Maasai people have long served as the guardians of the land they inhabit, playing a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. The symbiotic relationship between our community and the natural environment has been integral to the preservation of biodiversity and the overall health of the region.
However, when indigenous communities like the Maasai are displaced from their ancestral lands, the ecosystem faces significant risks. The intricate web of life that thrives in these lands becomes vulnerable to disruption and degradation. Here are some key considerations:
Loss of Traditional Conservation Practices:
The Maasai have a deep understanding of their environment and employ traditional conservation practices passed down through generations. These practices include sustainable grazing patterns, controlled burns, and responsible resource management. When the Maasai are displaced, these invaluable conservation practices are often lost or disregarded, leading to detrimental consequences for the ecosystem.
Hunting Expeditions and Their Impact:
The region has witnessed hunting expeditions carried out by external parties, including some involving the UAE Royal Family. These expeditions, conducted without adequate oversight and conservation measures, pose a significant threat to the local wildlife and ecosystem. The disruption of natural habitats, indiscriminate hunting practices, and lack of sustainable wildlife management can lead to imbalances in the delicate ecosystem.
Overall Goals
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The pastoralist and indigenous Maasai rights must be recognized and enforced within a national and international legal framework.
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Immediate termination of the eviction of Maasai people from their traditional pastoral lands and facilitation of the right of return for those who have been evicted.
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Compensation for land and property loss from past evictions and repression of Maasai and future support for Maasai security and development.
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Immediate termination of Tanzania's agreements with the Ortello Business Corporation (OBC), a United Arab Emirates (UAE) -– based company that runs trophy hunting excursions for the country's royal family,
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The United States-based Thompson Safaris should vacate and return 12,000 acres of Maasai land obtained fraudulently, and compensate for the illegal use of this land from 2006 to the present.
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The indigenous peoples should benefit from tourism and other benefits from conserved/tourism PAs taken from them in the past.