The World Bank has suspended funding for a $150 million tourism project in Tanzania following allegations of severe harm inflicted on local villagers, as reported by a U.S.-based rights group. The project aimed to enhance natural resource management and tourism assets in a remote region of southern Tanzania but faced criticism for its impact on local communities.
The decision to halt funding, described as “long overdue” by the Oakland Institute, comes after disturbing incidents uncovered by their investigation. These included disappearances, extrajudicial killings allegedly by park rangers, and sexual assaults against women. Government agencies were also accused of seizing and auctioning off cattle, adding financial pressure on herders to leave the area.
Tanzania’s heavy reliance on tourism for budgetary support has led to contentious efforts to develop national parks, often at the expense of local communities. Cases of violent evictions, like the displacement of the Maasai from grazing lands, have raised concerns about civilian abuses.
Source: The Guardian