see Ussu Mallya's update on the saga below:
-----Original Message-----
From: usu mallya [mailto:...]
Sent: 23 August 2009 06:10
To: [...]
Subject: Fw: Initial reflections on LOLIONDO TRIP
Wapendwa
im just accessing net now after the short but long and distressing trip to
Loliondo some six hour roughest drive from Arusha town through Ngorongoro
crater the so called seventh wonder of this world .. within and surrounding
it is one of the saddest stories of Wamaasai pastoralist communities who
have been victims and survivors of a century long international and
national propaganda on conservation of natural resources and hence the
introduction of powerful lobby and protectionist legal frameworks that have
facilitated their systematic dispossesion, displacement and what seems to
be a final move towards complete eviction that started since july this year
led by the state
the eviction led to a devastating impact to the whole community , in the
affected area all their BOMAs have been burnt to ashes, one woman raped by
seven militia but too afraid to admit .. one miscarried a seven month
pregnancy no treatment todate ... women and children traumatised
some hysterical , with a sound of an approaching car they just take off and
run ......there is no water for them and the animals since they are now
prohibited to graze in the evicted areas ... no food , no transport .. no
health facility ...
General feeling is fear and despair ...all initiatives to organise on the
ground have and are being silenced ...older and young men are now being
apprehended and imprisoned under the pretext that they have/are destroying
the environment ....women have tried to rally appealing to the Disrict
commissioner in vain ....
we were closely followed up by militia and security as we wanted to visit
the United Arab Emirates company that has been granted a contract to hunt
in the affected area since 1992 .....What is strange is the fact that this
company also seems to be/representing the UAE royal family .. as we
approached the area sms on our phones welcomed us to the UAE meaning all
correspondences were to use UAE code number ... practically its another
sovereign state within Tanzania.... we were shocked to find out that this is
a private company that has been guarded by state machinery ...police and
security 24 hours seven days since 1992! More shock when the police and
security told us that the area was the UAE ---PALACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and we
were not allowed in without permission ........cso on ground told us that
the UAE royal king visits on an annual basis complete with festives and
unparalled sex work and workers from the East all flown in
directly no immigraton nothing ..............communities claim that some
flights carry back live animals no one know how many since 1992 and who is
getting what out of this .........there are some showdy contract
between surrounding eight villages and the company initially they were given
3 million tshs a year which was all of a sudden raised to 25 and 50 before
eviction............. place is complete town with airstrip/ airpot capacity
of boeing 747...cars with UAE registration numbers flown in directly ....the
question is who is destroying the environment ?.....
In the meantime the DC and security made follow up on us asking whether we
took pictures at the royal palace ..............to them this is the most
important concern and not the Maasai.... its sad and shamefull! Biggest
question is how can we rise towards accountable leadership in Tanzania ,
Afrika?
We were a team of 22 under the leadership of FemAct with CSO in Arusha ,in
Loliondo and the media ... full report is being prepared to be submitted
tuesday for input and a plan for feedback with Fem Act Directors /
chairpersons on Wednesday or Thursday......... when we will also chart out a
plan to move forward this struggle and for full blown advocacy at all levels
.....
there are immediate , medium and long term needs on the ground ... social
services, legal , medical and pychological support to the survivors while
tackling the larger question on the legality of the eviction, land and
livelihood .......... plans were made to provide some immediate
though limited legal support .........but much was brainstorned to be
included in the report to be shared with Fem Act next week.....will keep you
updated..........
Usu