By Our Correspondent
In a recent turn of events, members of the Maasai community in Tanzania have expressed disbelief and outrage over allegations made by the Maasai International Solidarity Alliance (MISA).
The non-governmental organization, known for its advocacy on Maasai issues, has been accused of spreading falsehoods and making unfounded claims regarding the resettlement of Maasai people from Ngorongoro to Msomera village in Tanga region.
Residents of Msomera, who voluntarily resettled from Ngorongoro, have voiced their discontent, suggesting that MISA's statements may originate from Maasai individuals outside of Tanzania who are disconnected from the realities on the ground.
They highlighted their freedom to move and graze their livestock anywhere within the country, refuting any notion of coercion or mistreatment.In various interviews conducted by our correspondent in Msomera, the villagers expressed their frustration with MISA's alleged fabrications.
They called on the organization to visit Msomera and engage directly with the community to ascertain the truth, rather than disseminating misleading information.
"From what we see, MISA seems to be composed of Maasai from other countries, not Tanzania. We, the Maasai in Tanzania, are not being harassed by anyone, which is why we are present throughout the country, pursuing our pastoral activities.
They should not use us to secure funding," said Joseph Supuk, a resident who shifted from Ngorongoro to Msomera.Luca Tiamasi, another resettle in Msomera, recounted his surprise upon encountering MISA's claims on social media.
He noted that no military involvement had been in their resettlement process, contrary to what MISA suggested.
The move was largely driven by encouragement from community mobilizers and media coverage.Sindato Mollel, from Endulen village in Ngorongoro, urged MISA to cease its misinformation campaign, emphasizing that the Maasai who left the conservation area did so voluntarily, drawn by the favorable conditions in Msomera compared to their former homes.
Responding to MISA's accusations of land grabbing, the community leaders categorically denied such claims.
They argued that Tanzania has ample land, and no Maasai had been dispossessed. They invited anyone from MISA to follow legal procedures to become Tanzanian citizens if they faced land shortages in their countries.
"If their countries lack land, they can come and apply to be citizens, and we will provide them land. But they should not falsely claim that Maasai in Tanzania are facing land issues. We graze our livestock from Arusha to Dar es Salaam, even reaching Lindi, Mtwara, and Ruvuma, without any harassment," said one villager.
The Maasai criticized MISA for serving the interests of a select few, suggesting the organization seeks to leverage Maasai issues for financial gain rather than genuinely addressing community challenges.
They encouraged MISA to witness firsthand the harmonious existence and self-determined mobility of the Maasai in Tanzania, facilitated by the government's supportive land ownership policies.
Moses Lazier, another Msomera resident, underscored the peaceful resettlement process from Ngorongoro, highlighting that it was conducted without force, with many opting to move due to the overpopulation and environmental degradation within the conservation area.
The Tanzanian Maasai community, spread across various regions and engaged in their pastoral traditions, has seamlessly integrated into different parts of the country, including Zanzibar, where they continue their way of life without interference.
According to Tanzanian law, individuals have the right to reside anywhere within the country, a principle the Maasai have exercised freely.
The community views MISA's rhetoric as an attempt to sow discord between the Maasai and the Tanzanian government, prompting them to raise their voices on the global stage to clarify that MISA might be an entity led by Maasai from other nations.
The Tanzanian government has reiterated its commitment to upholding human rights in the voluntary resettlement process, with former government spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi affirming that no force is being used in resettlement.
Matinyi insisted that those who choose to move voluntarily are compensated fairly and that the government will continue to educate those remaining in the conservation areas until the process is complete.
For years, the Maasai community in Tanzania has lived peacefully, practicing their pastoral lifestyle across legally designated areas.
Recently, however, external influences seeking to exploit their situation for financial gain have emerged, complicating the narrative and misrepresenting the genuine experiences of the Maasai people.
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