Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The World Bank has been given until December 27th to address accusations of human rights violations linked to a $150 million natural resource project in Tanzania. The project, known as the Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth (Regrow), has been the subject of controversy, with allegations of forced evictions, violence, and intimidation by park rangers.
Following a complaint filed by two unidentified Tanzanian citizens, the World Bank’s board of directors approved a formal investigation into the matter on November 15th. The complainants, fearing retaliation, have requested anonymity. They allege that park rangers have subjected communities living near Ruaha National Park, a part of the Regrow project, to violence and intimidation for the past two years. The complaint also cites the seizure of cattle, impacting the livelihoods of pastoralist communities.
While the World Bank initially denied responsibility, it has since faced mounting pressure to address the allegations. The Oakland Institute, a US-based think tank, has been instrumental in raising awareness of the issue and is serving as the complainants’ advisor during the investigation.
The government of Tanzania has acknowledged the gravity of the situation and expressed its intention to participate in the World Bank’s dispute resolution process. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached by December 27th, a full investigation will be launched.
The investigation will focus on potential violations of the World Bank’s environmental and investment project financing policies. Specific areas of scrutiny will include whether the Bank adequately identified and mitigated risks to communities during project preparation and implementation and whether due diligence was conducted on the Tanzania National Parks Authority, one of the project’s lead implementing agencies.
The outcome of the investigation is highly anticipated and will have significant implications for the future of the Regrow project and the World Bank’s reputation in Tanzania. It will also serve as a precedent for similar projects undertaken by the Bank worldwide, ensuring that they are conducted in a manner that protects human rights and respects the well-being of local communities.