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Why are the Maasai being relocated in Tanzania?

An ongoing dispute between the Maasai and the Tanzanian government over a 1,500 square km piece of land has recently resulted in violent clashes.

For several decades, the Maasai community in Loliondo in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro district have been involved in a land dispute with the government.

Thousands of Maasai have lived for years on the fertile 1,500 square km piece of land – using its abundant water sources for their livestock.

But the authorities no longer want the Maasai living there, as they say land and wildlife is being put at risk because of the rapidly expanding human population.

The situation came to a head recently when authorities started marking out the protected land - sparking protests from the Maasai. The police have been accused of using bullets and teargas against the protesters. One police officer has been killed in the clashes.

For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja asks if a peaceful resolution can be found to Tanzania’s land disputes?

Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)

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