This seems to be part of the long-running atte the Tanzanian government, first under Kikwete and now under Magufuli , to force Maasasi pastoralists (whether Kenyan or Tanzanian) out of the Loliondo area to lease it to foreign companies or individuals – mainly as private hunting reserves. Further alienation of local people from grazing land and stoking of grievances. KS
Star (Kenya)

Tanzania has given Kenyan pastoralists seven days to leave the country or their livestock will be auctioned by the state.
Tanzania’s Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources Hamisi Kigwangalla, who issued the notice on Thursday, also warned “foreigners” against encroaching on the country’s natural resources.
Also warned are hundreds of farmers said to have encroached on gazetted land in Loliondo Forest.
He said the notice took effect from October 19 and warned that the state will confiscate all livestock belonging to foreigners and auction them.
Kenyan pastoralists have crossed over to Tanzania in search of pasture for their livestock as a result of drought.
He said herders have encroached on gazetted land in Loliondo Forest.
“This has caused a lot of damage to the environment. I have given them notice to leave or we confiscate their livestock,” Hamisi said.
In January, Tanzania gazetted 1,500 square kilometres of land around Loliondo Forest and set it aside for environmental conservation.
Another 2,500 square kilometres of the land was set aside for public utility.
“They have broken the law and their existence there does not only threaten the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem but also reduces the area set aside for the local Tanzanians to graze their livestock,” Hamisi said.
Maasai herdsmen from Nairebuk, Olmesutye, Enkeju Enirai and Ngoyeengalai crossed over to Tanzania to look for pasture for their cattle.
Tanzanian authorities said large carnivores were threatened by negative human activities like encroachment on their grazing area.
The notice to vacate came just two days after a court in Arusha fined Kenyan pastoralists Sh23 million for trespassing.
The pastoralists failed to raise the fine and the court ordered that the 1,305 cows be sold and the proceeds handed over to the state.
The auction was set to happen on Saturday. The cows had been detained by farmers in Mwanga district after they encroached on their farms.
Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed last week attempted to secure the livestock, but the country’s leadership refused to engage her.
Tanzania has given Kenyan pastoralist seven-day notice to move out their livestock from gazetted land in Loliondo forest.
Star 20 October 2017
It is estimated that there are more than 6, 000 cows belonging to Kenyan Maasai in Loliondo Forest.
Hundreds of farmers from Kenya who have been tilling the land with more than 200 tractors have also been ordered to leave.
The notice was issued by Tanzanian Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Hamisi Kigwangalla, on October 19.
It took effect on the same date.
“This has caused a lot of damage to the environment. I am now giving the 7 days to pack and leave, failure to which the government will confiscate the more than 200 tractors and over 6, 000 livestock belonging to Kenyans, which will be auctioned by the state,” said Kigwangalla in a statement to the Star.
In January this year, the then National Resources and Tourism Minister, Jumanne Maghembe gazetted 1,500 square km which the government set aside for the preservation of the environment.
During the same time, Maghembe also set aside 2, 500 sq km of land for public utility.
“They have broken the law and their existence there does not only threaten the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem but also reduces the area set aside for the local Tanzanians to graze their livestock,” said the minister.
The minister claimed the presence of Kenyans and their livestock is threatening the livelihoods of Tanzanians.
He said the state will take drastic measures to control the influx of Kenyan pastoralist into Tanzania.
The notice was issued two days after a Tanzania court in Arusha fined Kenyan pastoralists Tsh500 million for trespassing into the country.
The Kenyan pastoralists were unable to raise the fine and the court ruled that the 1, 305 cows be confiscated by the state and auction.
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There’s dangerously incorrect information in this article. The 1,500 km2 of very important grazing land for people who already lost land with the creation of Serengeti National Park has NOT been gazetted as a protected area. The prime minister ordered the Arusha regional commissioner to find a “solution to the conflict” and the RC set up a select committee that handed a compromise proposal to the PM in April. Nothing at all has been heard from the PM, but in August started an illegal invasion of village land by Serengeti and NCA rangers that committed arson, physical assault and illegal seizing of cattle. For many years the “investor” that organises hunting for Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai has lobbied to turn these 1,500 km2 into a “protected area” (not protected from hunting). Instead of listening to the victims of this human rights abuse, Kigwangalla has listened to the “investor’s” fantasy about 200 (!) alien tractors…
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