Faith Nyasuguta
The World Bank has taken the unprecedented step of halting financial support earmarked for tourism development in southern Tanzania amidst allegations of severe human rights abuses, including killings, rape, and forced evictions.
In response to mounting concerns over reported atrocities linked to the Resilient Natural Resources Management for Tourism and Growth (Regrow) project, which aimed to expand Ruaha national park with World Bank backing, the institution initiated an investigation last year.
Expressing profound apprehension over the accusations, a World Bank spokesperson stated, “We have recently received information that suggests breaches of our policies in the implementation of the Regrow project. We have therefore decided to suspend further disbursement of funds with immediate effect.”
Tanzania, slated to receive an additional $50 million, had already utilized $100 million of the allocated funding for various developments, including infrastructure projects such as road construction, viewing areas, visitor centers, as well as investments in wildlife monitoring and security enhancements.
AEM had previously exposed a litany of abuses allegedly perpetrated by Tanzanian rangers against local villagers accused of encroaching on the national park. These abuses ranged from the killing of cattle herders and fishers to the confiscation of livestock and the rape of women.
The Oakland Institute, a US-based think tank, applauded the World Bank’s decision, emphasizing its significance in holding the Tanzanian government accountable for human rights violations associated with promoting tourism. Anuradha Mittal, the institute’s executive director, hailed the move as long overdue and a stern warning to the Tanzanian authorities that impunity for rights abuses would no longer be tolerated.
Despite the World Bank’s pledge to investigate, the Tanzanian government proceeded with plans to redraw the boundaries of the national park, potentially resulting in the displacement of 21,000 individuals, according to the Oakland Institute. Furthermore, ongoing incidents of violence, including the killing of a 21-year-old cattle herder in October and the seizure and sale of thousands of cattle this year, have heightened concerns about the plight of affected communities.
Mittal highlighted the urgent need for remedial action, stressing that the expansion of the park must not proceed without the consent of local communities. In addition to preventing forced evictions, the World Bank must prioritize efforts to address the grievances of villagers who have suffered losses and trauma due to ranger violence and livelihood restrictions.
As of publication, the Tanzanian government had not responded to the move by the World Bank, leaving the fate of the affected communities and the future of tourism development in the region uncertain.
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