Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T14:27:43.517Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

OF LAND AND LEGITIMACY: A TALE OF TWO LAWSUITS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2013

Kelly Askew ,
Faustin Maganga  and
Rie Odgaard
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Through a comparative analysis of two recent Tanzanian lawsuits concerning pastoralist–farmer disputes over land, this article argues that the judicial system is being employed as a vehicle for legitimizing dispossession. Wealthy elites who find their efforts to acquire vast tracts of land thwarted by protective mechanisms in the Land Act No. 4 of 1999 and Village Land Act No. 5 of 1999 are turning to the courts to get what they want. Having access to deeper pockets and being able to out-lawyer and out-manoeuvre their poorer and often less-educated opponents enables elites (including the government itself) to avail themselves of the judicial system and acquire land through illegitimate means. Yet our analysis also illustrates that Tanzanian courts at times act independently of political influence and secure property rights for at least some of the dispossessed. An unusual mix of conflicting pressures and key personalities in these two cases coalesced to produce unexpected outcomes in favour of the Maasai defendants, whose land and legitimacy were on the line. Winning, however, came at considerable cost.

Résumé

À partir de l'analyse comparative de deux procès récents liés à des litiges fonciers entre pasteurs et agriculteurs en Tanzanie, cet article soutient que le système judiciaire est utilisé comme un moyen de légitimer la dépossession. Les riches élites qui voient leurs efforts d'acquérir de vastes étendues de terres contrecarrés par les mécanismes de protection prévus par la loi Land Act No. 4 de 1999 et la loi Village Land Act No. 5 de 1999 se tournent vers les tribunaux pour obtenir ce qu'ils veulent. Parce qu'elles ont à leur disposition plus de ressources, d'avocats et de combines que leurs adversaires plus pauvres et souvent moins instruits, les élites (y compris le gouvernement lui-même) peuvent se servir du système judiciaire pour acquérir des terres par des moyens illégitimes. Pourtant, notre analyse montre également qu'il arrive aux tribunaux tanzaniens d'agir indépendamment des influences politiques et de défendre les droits fonciers d'au moins une partie des dépossédés. Dans ces deux procès, un alliage inhabituel de pressions divergentes et de personnalités clés a œuvré, contre toute attente, en faveur des défendeurs maasaï dont les terres et la légitimité étaient en jeu. Cette victoire n'a cependant pas été sans prix.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 83 , Special Issue 1: Land Politics in Africa: Constituting Authority over Territory, Property and Persons , February 2013 , pp. 120 - 141
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Alden Wily, L. (2003) ‘Community-based land tenure management: questions and answers about Tanzania's new Village Land Act, 1999’, Issue Paper No. 120, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), London.Google Scholar
Baha, B. and Chachage, C. (2007) ‘Wildlife conservation for tourist investments or villagers’ livelihoods? A fact-finding report on Vilima Vitatu village land dispute – Babati District’. Independent report by the authors.Google Scholar
Beidelman, T. (1962) ‘The Baraguyo’, Tanganyika Notes and Records 55: 245–78.Google Scholar
Brown, J., Garrucho, K., Lin, J. and Quina, V. (2009) ‘Land, governance and legitimacy in Tanzania: the effects of legal pluralism on Maasai pastoralists’, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, Institute for Research and Debate on Governance, Final Report, <http://sipa.columbia.edu/academics/concentrations/epd/documents/IRGFinalReport_2009.pdf> (accessed 20 October 2012).+(accessed+20+October+2012).>Google Scholar
Chachage, S. (2003) ‘Citizenship and partitioned people in East Africa: the case of the Wamaasai’, Africa Development/Afrique et développement 28 (1 and 2): 53–96.Google Scholar
DCI (Development Cooperation Ireland) (2005) ‘Report on the need and possible entry points for DCI to support civil society to actively engage in the areas of land rights, pastoralism and conflict resolution in Tanzania’, PEMconsult East Africa Ltd, Dar es Salaam.Google Scholar
Fratkin, E. and Wu, T. (2010) ‘Maasai and Barabaig herders struggle for land rights in Kenya and Tanzania’, Cultural Survival Quarterly 21 (3): 55–61.Google Scholar
Galaty, J. G. (1982) ‘Being “Maasai”, being “people-of-cattle”: ethnic shifters in East Africa’, American Ethnologist 9 (1): 1–20.Google Scholar
Galaty, J. G. (1993) ‘“The eye that wants a person, where can it not see?” Inclusion, exclusion and boundary shifters in Maasai identity’ in Spear, T. and Waller, R. (eds), Being Maasai: ethnicity and identity in East Africa. Oxford: James Currey.Google Scholar
Gastorn, K. (2010) ‘The dynamics of change and continuity in land dispute mechanisms in mainland Tanzania: the jurisdictional debate’ in Bernreuther, J. (ed.), Festschrift für Ulrich Spellenberg zum 70 Geburtstag. Munich: Sellier European Law Publishers.Google Scholar
Hesse, C. and Odhiambo, M. (2002) ‘In search for the future of pastoralism in East Africa: developing an alliance and strategy in support of pastoral self-determination’, discussion paper, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), London.Google Scholar
Hodgson, D. (2011) Being Maasai, Becoming Indigenous: postcolonial politics in a neoliberal world. Bloomington IN: Indiana University Press.Google Scholar
Hughes, L. (2006) Moving the Maasai: a colonial misadventure. New York NY: Palgrave.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Igoe, J. (2003) ‘Scaling up civil society: donor money, NGOs and the pastoralist land rights movement in Tanzania’, Development and Change 34 (5): 863–85.Google Scholar
IWGIA (2008) ‘Eviction of pastoralists from Usangu Plains, Tanzania’, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) brief, Copenhagen, 31 January 2008.Google Scholar
Jennings, C. (2005) ‘Scatterlings of East Africa: revisions of Parakuyo identity and history, c. 1830–1926’. PhD. thesis, University of Texas.Google Scholar
Kikwete, J. (2011) ‘Foreword’ in SAGCOT Investment Blueprint, pp. 4–5, <http://www.sagcot.com/resources/downloads-resources/ > , accessed 20 October 2012.Google Scholar
Lane, C. (1994) ‘Pastures lost: alienation of Barabaig land in the context of land policy and legislation in Tanzania’, Nomadic Peoples 34/35: 81–94.Google Scholar
Lane, C. (2006) Pastures Lost: Barabaig economy, resource tenure, and the alienation of their land in Tanzania. Nairobi: Initiatives Publishers.Google Scholar
Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) (2007) ‘Human Rights Report 2007’. Dar es Salaam: LHRC.Google Scholar
Lobulu, B. (1998) ‘Dispossession and land tenure in Tanzania: what hope from the courts?’ Cultural Survival Quarterly 22 (4): 56–9.Google Scholar
Maganga, F. (2009) ‘Tanzania's new wildlife law and its implications for rural livelihoods’, mimeo, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam.Google Scholar
Maganga, F., Odgaard, R. and Sjaastad, E. (2007) ‘Contested identities and resource conflicts in Morogoro Region, Tanzania: who is indigenous?’ in Derman, B., Odgaard, R. and Sjaastad, E. (eds), Conflicts over Land and Water in Africa. Oxford and East Lansing: James Currey and Michigan State University Press.Google Scholar
Mattee, A. Z. (2007) ‘Current policy making processes in Tanzania’ in ‘Study on options for pastoralists to secure their livelihoods’, report submitted to Community Research and Development Services (CORDS), October 2007.Google Scholar
Mattee, A. Z. and Shem, M. (2006) ‘A review of current policies and laws that touch on pastoralism in Tanzania’, Issue Paper No. 140, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), London.Google Scholar
Maulidi, S. (2012) ‘Land – a key constitutional agenda’, Daily News, <http://allafrica.com/stories/201208090253.html > , accessed 20 August 2012.+,+accessed+20+August+2012.>Google Scholar
Mvula, E. and Kawawa, C. (2006) ‘Land/resource use conflicts and proposed eviction of livestock keepers in Usangu Basin’, report on fact-finding mission submitted to PINGOs Forum.Google Scholar
Mwaikusa, J. T. (1993) ‘Community rights and land use policies in Tanzania: the case of pastoral communities’, Journal of African Law 37 (2): 144–63.Google Scholar
Nkwame, M. (2011) ‘Land-related conflicts on the increase’, Daily News online edition, <http://dailynews.co.tz/home/?n=24902&cat=home > , accessed 21 August 2012.+,+accessed+21+August+2012.>Google Scholar
Nordlund, S. (2011) ‘View from the termite mound: the corridor – and the story of OBC in Loliondo’, <http://termitemoundview.blogspot.de > , accessed 20 October 2012.+,+accessed+20+October+2012.>Google Scholar
Odgaard, R. (2005) ‘The struggle for land rights in the context of multiple normative orders in Tanzania’ in Evers, S., Spierenburg, M. and Wels, H. (eds), Competing Jurisdictions: settling land claims in Africa. Leiden: Brill Publishers.Google Scholar
Odgaard, R. (2006) ‘Land rights and land conflicts in Africa: the case of Tanzania’, report prepared for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark, Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Copenhagen.Google Scholar
Odgaard, R. (2009) ‘Community Research and Development Services (CORDS) and Parakuyo Pastoralists Indigenous Community Development Organization (PAICODEO): capacity assessment and possible future collaboration’, report for International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Copenhagen.Google Scholar
Odgaard, R. and Maganga, F. (1994) ‘Local informal land and water management systems in Ruaha River Basin’, Centre for Development Research (CDR), Copenhagen.Google Scholar
Odgaard, R. (team leader), Maziku, M., Riihimaki, L., Larsen, R., Kabala, T., Mtinda, E. and Justiniano, M. (2009) ‘Land Rights Programme review cum appraisal, Tanzania’, MS Action Aid, Denmark.Google Scholar
Ojalammi, S. (2006) Contested Lands: land disputes in semi-arid parts of northern Tanzania. Case studies of the Loliondo and Sale divisions in the Ngorongoro District. Helsinki: Publicationes Instituti Geographici, Universitatis Helsingiensis.Google Scholar
Ole Ndaskoi, N. (2009) Pastoralism on the Horns of a Dilemma: a report of consultancy commissioned by PINGOs-Forum. Arusha: Pastoralist Indigenous Non-Governmental Forum.Google Scholar
Oxfam, TroCaire, Concern and Development Cooperation Ireland (2005) ‘Experiencing the 1999 Land Acts: where are we now? Lessons for policy and practice’, report on the proceedings of the Symposium on Implementation of the 1999 Land Acts, Courtyard Hotel, Dar es Salaam, 1–2 March.Google Scholar
Peter, C. M. (2007) ‘Human rights of indigenous minorities in Tanzania and the courts of law’, International Journal on Minority and Group Rights 14 (4): 455–87.Google Scholar
PINGOs Forum, HAKIARDHI, HIMWA and LHRC (2007) ‘A report on eviction and resettlement of pastoralists from Ihefu and Usangu-Mbarali District to Kilwa and Lindi Districts’, March.Google Scholar
Porokwa, E., Eusebi, A. and Msami, A. (2007) ‘A study on the impact of national policy processes on pastoralism in Tanzania’, <http://landportal.info/resource/edward-porokwa/study-impact-national-policies-processes-pastoralism-tanzania > , accessed 21 August 2012.+,+accessed+21+August+2012.>Google Scholar
Renton, A. (2009) ‘Tourism is a curse to us’, The Observer, 6 September 2009, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/06/masai-tribesman-tanzania-tourism > , accessed 20 October 2012.+,+accessed+20+October+2012.>Google Scholar
Rigby, P. (1985) Persistent Pastoralists: nomadic societies in transition. London: Zed Books.Google Scholar
Rigby, P. (1992) Cattle, Capitalism and Class: Ilparakuyo Maasai transformations. Philadelphia PA: Temple University Press.Google Scholar
Rwechungura, C. (2011) ‘Land conflicts haunt independent Tanzania’, Daily News, online edition, <http://dailynews.co.tz/feature/?n=26033 > , accessed 20 August 2012.+,+accessed+20+August+2012.>Google Scholar
Shamte, S. (2011) ‘Investment in agriculture in Tanzania: presentation to Tanzania diaspora meeting’, London, 7 May 2011, <http://www.slideshare.net/ABST/kilimo-kwanza-investment-presentation-to-tanzania-diaspora-may-2011-shamte > , accessed 20 October 2012.+,+accessed+20+October+2012.>Google Scholar
Shivji, I. (1999) ‘The Land Acts 1999: a cause for celebration or celebration of a cause?’ Keynote address to the Workshop on Land, Morogoro, 19–20 February.Google Scholar
Spear, T. and Waller, R. (eds), Being Maasai: ethnicity and identity in East Africa. Oxford: James Currey.Google Scholar
Sundet, G. (2005) ‘The Land Act and the Village Land Act: a technical analysis of the practical implications of the Acts’, working draft paper, 28 February 2005, <www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/learning/landrights/east.html#Tanzania > , accessed 31 October 2012.+,+accessed+31+October+2012.>Google Scholar
Tenga, R. (1992) Pastoral Land Rights in Tanzania: a review. Pastoral Land Tenure Series, IIED Drylands Programme. London: International Institute for Environment and Development.Google Scholar
Tenga, R. (1998) ‘Legitimizing dispossession: the Tanzanian High Court's decision on the eviction of Maasai pastoralists from Mkomazi Game Reserve’, Cultural Survival Quarterly 22 (4).Google Scholar
Tenga, R. (2008) ‘The right to food and security of pastoral resource rights in the United Republic of Tanzania’ in Cotula, L. (ed.), The Right to Food and Access to Natural Resources. Rome: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)/FAO.Google Scholar
Tenga, R. (2011) ‘Seeking redress from courts of law by pastoralists in Tanzania’, paper presented to the conference on ‘Half a Century of Struggles by Pastoralists for Land Rights: examining achievements, challenges and the proposed new constitution as a window of opportunity’, organized by the Association for Law and Advocacy for Pastoralists (ALAPA) and PINGOs Forum, Arusha, 24–25 November.Google Scholar
Tenga, R. and Kakoti, G. (1993) ‘The Barabaig land case’ in Veber, H., Dahl, J., Wilson, F. and Wæhle, E. (eds), ‘. . . Never Drink from the Same Cup’, IWGIA Document No. 74. Copenhagen: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA).Google Scholar
Tenga, R., Mattee, A., Mdoe, N., Mnenwa, R., Mwungi, S. and Walsh, M. (2008) ‘A study on options for pastoralists to secure their livelihoods in Tanzania: current policy, legal and economic issues’, first volume of main report (April), <http://www.tnrf.org/node/7486 > , accessed 20 August 2012.+,+accessed+20+August+2012.>Google Scholar
United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (1999) The Village Land Act No. 5 of 1999. Dar es Salaam: URT.Google Scholar
United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2001) ‘Agricultural Sector Development Strategy, October 2001’, <http://www.tzonline.org/pdf/agriculturalsectordevelopmentstrategy.pdf > , accessed 20 October 2012.+,+accessed+20+October+2012.>Google Scholar
Walsh, M. (2004) ‘Pangolins, science and scapegoats: environmental narratives and conflicts in the Great Ruaha Catchment, Tanzania’, paper presented to the workshop on ‘Trees, Rain and Politics in Africa’, St Antony's College, University of Oxford, 29 September–1 October.Google Scholar
Walsh, M. (2007) ‘Study on options for pastoralists to secure their livelihoods: pastoralism and policy processes in Tanzania. Mbarali Case Study’, report submitted to the Tanzania National Resource Forum (TNRF), April.Google Scholar
Walsh, M. (2012) ‘The not-so-great Ruaha and hidden histories of an environmental panic in Tanzania’, Journal of Eastern African Studies 6 (2): 303–35.Google Scholar