The Benet

The Benet people are an indigenous community from Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda that have faced numerous human rights abuses as a result of the increased protection of the Mount Elgon National Park.

Ik vs. Kidepo Valley National Park

Due to pressures of conservation, ecotourism, and other neighboring pastoralist communities, the Ik’s lifestyle and culture are being threatened. (Photo: Realm Africa)

Karamojong vs. Land Grabbing

Karamojong pastoralists are an impoverished, historically marginalized group without political representation. They have suffered in the past from land grabs for conservation by the government. Open grazing land is dwindling and their entire way of life is at risk. Today, government officials seek to abolish pastoralism in the region.

Suri vs. Lim Siow Jin Estate

The Ethiopia government leased land to Malaysian company Lim Siow Jin Estate in the Bench Maji Zone of the SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region) region in 2011. However, the 31,000-hectare large plantation overlaps with the land of the Suri people and has had negative effects on their traditional pastoral livelihood.

Indigenous Peoples vs. Gibe III Dam

The Mursi and Nyangatom are two of many pastoralist groups in the SNNPR region of Ethiopia, and surrounding area, who risk losing access to their resources, especially water, because of a series of dams being built along the Omo River. Photo credit: Salini Impregilo

Karayu vs. Land Grabbing in Oromia

Karayu traditionally live in the Fantalle district but many were evicted in 2006 for the creation of the Awash National Park and development projects such as the Metahara Sugar Factory and Upper Awash Agro-industry Enterprise. Karayu are also forbidden access to their only water source, the Awash River. Photo Credit: Flickr

Kunama v. Nevsun Mining

Four Eritrean-Kunama refugees are in the middle of a judicial battle in the Canadian court system against a Canadian-based mining company for alleged human rights violations at the Bisha Mine in Eritrea. As a result of the case, other investors are becoming skeptical about moving to Eritrea. Photo Credit: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters