EACOP signs first FPIC agreement in Tanzania
From left are Dr Elifuraha Laltaika, EACOP’s Advisor on Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples, EACOP Tanzania General Wendy Brown, Oring’idi Masunyu, Akie Laigwanan who currently hosts an Akie sacred site recently relocated, Pasinai Oltingi, Harmlet Chairman, Yohanna Lemama, Akie Village Chairperson and Elias Rumas Olekitirie, Akie Community National Chaiperson.
By Mariagoreth Charles
The EACOP project signed a Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) agreement on 6 July 2022 with the Akie Community of Napilikunya in Manyara Region, Tanzania in respect of their cultural and spiritual values.
The signing of the FPIC Agreement was the accumulation of several years of engagements with Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-identifying as Indigenous Peoples affected by the EACOP Project.
The signing event was officiated by the EACOP Tanzania General Manager, Wendy Brown, and witnessed by the Acting District Administrative Secretary (DAS) of Kiteto District, Mr Fadhili Alexander.
“Today we are making history, I understand this is the very first FPIC Agreement ever in Tanzania, and one of only a handful in Africa. EACOP is very proud to be taking this first step with you the Akie community of Napilikunya,” stated Brown during the signing ceremony.
Dr Elifuraha happily expressed, “I feel very proud that Tanzania joins a few countries in the region that have implemented FPIC - an emerging international law principle requiring culturally-appropriate engagement with vulnerable communities prior to implementing projects.”
He added, “I am also profoundly impressed by EACOP’s good faith, transparency and commitment to meaningful engagement that has empowered the Akie community to make informed decisions. This is an incredible precedent for future projects in Africa.”’
Leaders of different Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples in a group photo with the district leadership, EACOP Advisors Dr Laltaika and Lloyd Lipsett, and representatives of the EACOP Project after signing a Framework Agreement.
Speaking during the event, Mr Fadhili, the Acting DAS, commended EACOP for conducting meaningful engagements that have resulted in the smooth operation of the project activities in Kiteto District, Manyara Region and for following international standards.
Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is a requirement under International Financing Standards and International Human Rights Law for development projects that potentially impact indigenous peoples land and cultural heritage.
Through its Human Rights Impact Assessment and land acquisition process, EACOP identified impacted villages, whose communities include Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples namely Maasai, Datoga (Taturu and Barbaig) and Akie.
EACOP’s many engagements with the respective communities since 2017 and, since December 2019, quarterly engagements with the traditional leaders of these groups has led to greater understanding of the specific Project impacts on each community including understanding the presence of potentially impacted cultural and sacred sites.
“Our engagements have been focusing on ensuring the Akie community is well informed to make the right decision,” emphasised EACOP’s Manyara-based Community Relations Coordinator, Emil Msisiri.
From left: Saitoti Parmelo, Wendy Brown, Dr. Elifuraha Laltaika, Bariki Lelya, EACOP Social Lead Fatuma Msummi after receiving gifts from the Akie Community as an appreciation of the work done by the EACOP project in respect of their cultural and spiritual values
By using participatory approaches, EACOP’s team, led by Social Lead Fatuma Mssumi and the communities, developed a Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples Framework document which was signed in October 2021 by the Traditional Leaders and three Non-Governmental Organisations with experience of working with the respective communities: Ujamaa Community Resource Team (UCRT), Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental Organization’s Forum (PINGO’s forum) and Parakuiyo Pastoralists Indigenous Community Development Organisation (PAICODEO).
The signing of the Framework Agreement which includes respect of sacred sites was a step towards the Akie community’s agreement to relocate a sacred site of cultural and spiritual significance from a Baobab tree on the land of the Lembulu family to a Baobab tree on the land of the Oring’idi family.
This exercise was supported and facilitated by the EACOP Project Social team who also participated in the ceremony.
Akie leaders during the FPIC agreement final review and consultation meeting with representatives of the Local NGOs and Dr. Elifuraha in Napilikunya, Kiteto.
Commenting on reaching the FPIC milestone, Bariki Lelya, a representative of UCRT, highlighted that this is the first time UCRT has worked with a mega project to ensure meaningful engagement with Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples and advised EACOP to consider the request of the Akie community to protect the new sacred site and assist the community in securing the customary right of occupancy, advice that was further cemented by Saitoti Parmelo, a representative of PINGO’s forum, Adam Ole Mwarabu a representative of PAICODEO as well as representatives of the Akie Community.
During the ceremony, EACOP committed to this support. Brown further confirmed to the Akie community EACOP’s commitments to: Support informed consultation and participation; provide capacity-building; provide a culturally appropriate grievance mechanism; address potential adverse impacts associated with the development of the EACOP Project; promote development benefits in culturally appropriate ways; and engage with government as appropriate.
EACOP is committed to complying with the highest international standards for sustainable development including IFC Performance standards which include Performance Standard 7 covering Indigenous Peoples.
Lembulu family and Oring’idi family together with the local leader at the former sacred site.
The FPIC process has been guided and supported by Dr Elifuraha Laltaika, a renowned expert in indigenous peoples’ rights and EACOP Human Right Advisor Lloyd Lipsett, an International Human Rights Lawyer.
