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In Northern Tanzania, more than 70.000 Maasai residents are facing eviction from ancestral lands as the government reveals plans to lease the land to a United Arab Emirates company, Otterlo. The purpose of this is to create a wildlife corridor for trophy hunting and elite tourism. Thousands of rare animals in the area, including lions, leopards, and the critically endangered black rhino are under threat.

I am Paul and was born and raised in the Maasai pastoralist family in the Ololosokwan village in Ngorongoro and call Tanzania my home. I can’t stand this injustice to my people any longer! I urge the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan as well as the United Nations to take our side! Protect the Maasai and protect our heritage!

Today, 70 000 Maasai pastoralists are at risk of eviction. Approximately 15 villages within 1500 square kilometers in the Loliondo Division of Ngorongoro, Northern Tanzania are at risk. The Maasai pastoralists have sustainably stewarded the area for generations. The same land they were awarded in 2018 through the East African Court of Justice. This ruling prohibits the destruction of Maasai homesteads, the confiscation of livestock, and the office of the Inspector General of Police from harassing and intimidating the Maasai.

On Jan 13, thousands of Maasai gathered in Oloirien village, where they amazed a protest. Under instructions from the government, the homes of Maasai families were burnt to the ground leaving thousands homeless whilst several residents were arrested.

This action takes away Maasai's Rights as people, but also their ability to exercise responsibilities related to the land. As Tanzania is a signatory to the U.N's Universal Declaration of Human Rights we must stand together to protect the Maasai people and their way of life.