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World Bank project fails to protect Tanzanian pastoralists from serious human rights abuses

9 April 2024

A report by US-based Oakland Institute launched in September 2023, finds the World Bank has failed to hold Tanzanian authorities accountable for serious human rights violations related to the expansion of the Ruaha National Park, a Bank financed project started in 2017 to develop less visited tourist destinations in Tanzania.

In February 2023, locals filed a complaint with the World Bank’s Inspection Panel (IP) to stop the human rights abuses. However, in the seven months since the complaint was filed, World Bank project financing has continued, with approximately $35 million disbursed since the investigation process started in July 2023. Even if the IP meets its timelines, all funds will likely be disbursed before the investigation can have a tangible impact on the lives of the villagers.

“If the Bank has any intent of holding the government accountable for blatantly violating the Bank’s own safeguards, it must immediately stop funding the REGROW project and hold the government accountable,” said Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute.