Tanzania officials address land disputes and farmer-herder conflicts

Tanzanian officials are addressing various land-related issues, ranging from individual ownership disputes to systemic conflicts between farmers and herders.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Dr. Leonard Akwilapo, addressed public complaints regarding land disputes and the demolition of developments. He urged citizens to adhere to legal land ownership and usage procedures to avoid losses. Akwilapo noted that ministry investigations revealed some complainants provide inaccurate information or use social media to seek public sympathy, emphasizing that the government is verifying all claims to ensure justice is served according to the law.

In Parliament, Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba stated that proper land use planning is essential to resolving conflicts between farmers and livestock keepers. Responding to concerns about violence and property damage caused by these disputes, the Prime Minister emphasized that the government will not tolerate intentional violations, such as driving livestock into private farms. He called for better cooperation between the agriculture and livestock ministries to establish systems that prevent such clashes and urged citizens to respect the law.