Implementation of Indigenous People Rights and Convention on Biological Diversity in Ethiopia

Arguably, the protectionist Model for national park management has been replaced by the sustainable use model which entitles indigenous people to participate and share benefits from the national parks management. However, various sources disclose that its implementation is poorly managed in Africa. The Ethiopian government has ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity, which to an extent protects the rights of indigenous people in the management of protected areas. However, its harmonization and the extent of its implementation are not yet explored in Ethiopian national parks management. This research attempts to find out the gaps in legal and policy instruments that are affecting implementation of indigenous people rights in the Awash National Park management. This study discloses that the Ethiopian constitution and some national laws enshrine fundamental human rights protection. They give recognition to the rights for local people participation, land holding and benefit sharing, while government running the development projects, however, there is no legislation giving special treatment and criteria for the identification of indigenous people. The indigenous people living in and around Awash National Park do not have secured land rights. There are not specific guidelines that entitle them to participate in the national park management. Moreover, the government has not yet adopted schemes that enable them to share benefits from the national park. Indigenous people are not enjoying constitutional guarantees due to lack of detailed rules and strategies for implementation.