Tanzania Turns Against Kenyans In Growing Border Crisis

Presidents Samia Suluhu (Tanzania) and Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya) at the joint business summit between Kenya and Tanzania at Serena hotel in Nairobi on May 5, 2021.
Presidents Samia Suluhu (Tanzania) and Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya) at the joint business summit between Kenya and Tanzania at Serena hotel in Nairobi on May 5, 2021.
PSCU

Tanzania has moved to act against Kenyans who have stood in solidarity with the Tanzanian Maasai who are currently being displaced from the country's northern border. 

A report by the AFP quoted Tanzania's commissioner-general of immigration, Anna Makakala, who signalled that Tanzania was going to crackdown and possibly deport Kenyans - particularly those who have pitched camp in Loliondo area. 

Makakala stated that Tanzania stated that it would crack down on "illegal immigrants" in the northeastern area of Loliondo. The Tanzanian government has alleged that some Kenyans, especially the Maasais, are supporting their Tanzanian kin in the standoff that has attracted international outrage. 

Maasai community in Tanzania counting their loses following eviction orders
Maasai community in Tanzania counting their loses following eviction orders
File

"Following the directives of (the) Home Affairs Minister, we will conduct a special operation for 10 days against illegal immigrants around Loliondo and in Ngorongoro district as a whole," Makakala stated.

The Maasai of Loliondo in Tanzania accused their government of trying to force them off their land in order to organise safaris and hunting expeditions.

Tanzania Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni warned that stringent measures would be taken to curb the influx of illegal immigrants, in the area.

He stated that the illegal immigrants drive their flocks of cattle, goats and sheep into Loliondo Game Controlled Area.

The Maasai of Loliondo accused the government of trying to force them off their land in order to boost tourism in that region.

However, the Tanzanian government denied the accusations and claimed that it wanted to protect 1,500 square kilometres of land from human activity. 

Protests have emerged over the evictions and Kenya has been roped in due to the proximity and relations between the Maasai community in both countries. 

A number of Kenyan leaders from the Maasai community have condemned President Samia Suluhu's regime over the evictions and threatened to head to the International Criminal Court over the same. 

“We also have information that the Tanzanian Government has granted a permit to the United Arab Emirates government through the Safari Company Tele Business Cooperation without taking into account the Rights of the Maasai community who are the original owners of the land,” Narok gubernatorial candidate Moitalel Ole Kenta stated. 

Following misinformation regarding the eviction of the Maasai community from Loliondo near the world-famous Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the National Police Service (NPS) has moved to address the rumours circulating on social media.

Police flagged as fake a letter that alleged Kenyan pastoralists were staging protests in the neighbouring country to compel Dar es Salaam to release livestock confiscated from them.

National Police Service (NPS) Headquarters, Vigilance House
National Police Service (NPS) Headquarters, Vigilance House
The Standard

The NPS stated that the letter did not reflect the true position of the police or the country, and neither did it originate from the service.

According to the fake letter that purported to have Nairobi Regional Commander Augustine Nthumbi's signature, Kenyans were protesting in Tanzania to pressure President Samia Suluhu Hassan to take action immediately and order the release of Kenyan cattle.

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