Ngorongoro Conservation Area was temporarily brought at standstill as members of the Maasai community block safari vehicles in protest on misty Sunday Morning.
As it occurred, the mostly pastoral residents of the Ngorongoro Division staged a protest march in the conservation area, blocking tourist vehicles complaining of being mistreated by the authorities.
Some of the printed placards that later started circulating in social media platforms bore messages such as complaints against non-existent health services, demands for the right to education for their children and lamenting what they described to be ‘forceful evictions,’ from the conservancy.
However, the Public Relations Officer for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Hamis Dambaya claimed that the residents were actually demanding their rights to vote and that their actions did not deter tourism activities.
But one of the residents, Isaya Olepose said the country’s constitution stipulates in Act 24 the right of each Tanzanian to own land, adding that Ngorongoro area customarily belongs to the Maasai Community.
Women were heard screaming while men raised their voices loud in protest, some recited both traditional and modern prayers as hundreds of tourists in their safari vehicles stood by to watch the proceedings.
A group of Maasai elders approached the tour vans and explained to visitors that they should not worry because it was peaceful demonstrations and that they, as tourists, were quite safe.
Indeed, many of the tour vehicles later continued with their game drives though others remained on the spot, seeming interested to hear what the Maasai protestors had to say.
The Arusha Regional Police Commander Justin Masejo was not readily available for comment, but police trucks were seen in a number of video clips that were making rounds online.
There were also enquiries from a number of people overseas wanting to know if the situation was safe as they were planning to visit Tanzania, especially the Northern circuit.