Witchcraft increases climate change casualties in Rukwa !

Being familiar with frequent reports in Tanzania and from other parts of the world about casualties resulting from traditional climatic adversities , particularly floods and droughts, news of the greasily   killing of two elderly people in Mpanda , Rukwa region, allegedly for preventing rain using witchcraft should   come as a rude shock to environmentalists, scientists, human rights activists and all people of good faith.

WAPO radio FM’s morning programme –Patapata, on 24 February 2012, quoting the Rukwa regional police commander, reported that 5 people had been arrested in connection with the killing of two elderly women accused by a section of the community in Mpanda   for preventing rain allegedly using witchcraft.

As Tanzania and other sub Saharan countries  strive to put in place different strategies to address climate change impacts, the Mpanda killings highlight the challenges that government , development partners and other actors face in engaging local communities on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and on development issues in general.

Incensed by the Sumbawanga killings report, COBIHESA members:

1. strongly condemn these killings as an  outright violation of human rights and call for all those involved to be prosecuted immediately.

2. Call on the NEMC, the Vice Presidents’ office ( the overall coordinating authority on environment activities) and other actors to accelerate public education on climate change to increase awareness and understanding of basic climate change processes and risks, and how to reduce them . Lack of correct information could undermine effective community responses in the on- going national strategies.

3. Call on government and other partners to support special interest groups such as farmers, livestock keepers,  fishers and competent NGOs working at community level to design and implement local initiatives for mitigation and adaptation that suit the local contexts.

The alarming climate change adversity in Rukwa region is also represented by the receding Lake Rukwa surface area. The Lake has reportedly receded by 7 kilometres over the past 50 years. This has been directly attributed to several factors including  increased evaporation due to high temperatures, increased degradation of the lake’s ecosystem due to growing livestock herds and over grazing, inadequate rains and prolonged droughts. These are plausible   scientific explanations associated with unsustainable environmental human activities and overall global warming –not witchcraft !.

Witchcraft, a backward and a risk laden belief system, has been associated with some of the most systemic inhuman practices in Tanzania including the killing of albinos   and old women in the Lake Victoria region. Although the government does not recognize witchcraft in its laws and policies, witchcraft beliefs are  considered to be widespread in Tanzania and constitute a significant social development challenge. Anecdotal evidence shows that most victims of witchcraft are people perceived to be of lower status in local communities: women rather than men; old women or men (especially widows or widowers, or childless families); the lonely; the poor; children; people with disabilities eg. albinos ; those with little or no education at all etc. Thus, witchcraft, like climate change impacts are likely to compound the problems of   the poor and most vulnerable people in Tanzanian society.