The World Bank has suspended funding for a $150 million tourism project in Tanzania following allegations of severe harm inflicted on Indigenous communities in the region. The project, known as REGROW, aimed to enhance natural resource management and tourism assets in a remote area of southern Tanzania.
Oakland Institute’s Criticism:
The Oakland Institute, a U.S.-based rights group, has been a vocal critic of the REGROW project, highlighting documented rights abuses suffered by Indigenous communities. Their report in November 2023 accused the World Bank of failing to address issues such as extrajudicial killings and sexual assaults associated with the expansion of Ruaha National Park, a key component of the REGROW project.
World Bank’s Decision:
Recent correspondence between the World Bank and the Oakland Institute confirmed the suspension of further disbursements to REGROW “until we are confident that the project is upholding our environmental and social standards.” The decision to suspend the project was described as “long overdue” by the Oakland Institute.
Impact and Response:
Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute, hailed the World Bank’s decision as a victory for marginalized communities in Tanzania. She emphasized that it sends a clear message to the Tanzanian government about the consequences of rights abuses. The suspension took effect on April 18, with at least $100 million already disbursed since the project commenced in 2017.
Investigation Findings:
The Oakland Institute’s investigation uncovered disturbing incidents, including disappearances, extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by park rangers, and sexual assaults against women. Additionally, government agencies were accused of seizing and auctioning off large numbers of cattle, placing financial pressure on herders to vacate the area.
Tourism Development Controversy:
Tanzania’s heavy reliance on tourism for budgetary support has led to extensive efforts to develop national parks, often at the expense of local communities. Amnesty International and others have highlighted cases of violent evictions, such as the displacement of 70,000 Maasai from grazing lands in the Loliondo area to make way for trophy hunting.
Conclusion:
Efforts to enhance tourism in Tanzania have sparked controversy and raised concerns about civilian abuses, prompting scrutiny of local authorities’ actions. The World Bank’s suspension of funding for the REGROW project underscores the need for greater accountability and respect for human rights in Tanzania’s development initiatives.
Source:NairaMetrics