Conservation organisation African Parks has signed an agreement with Federal and regional authorities in Ethiopia to manage the country’s largest national park, the Gambella National Park.

In a press statement, African Parks says that an agreement for a long-term management of Gambella National Park was signed earlier this week between Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), the Gambella Regional State and African Parks.

Alemitu Umod

“The partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s history. By working together with African Parks and EWCA, we will not only conserve our wilderness but also create economic opportunities for local communities. This is a significant step towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for our region,” says Alemitu Umod, President, Regional State of Gambella.

According to the statement, located at the heart of the Gambella region, the National Park forms part of an important ecosystem on which local communities and wildlife populations rely for survival.

Gambella forms a key part of a much larger natural system that stretches across southern Ethiopia and South Sudan, which is home to the largest land mammal migration on Earth.

Gambella witnesses largest migration of antelopes in world (Photo: ECWA)

It says that approximately six million antelope annually move across the broader landscape which incorporates Gambella and South Sudan’s Boma-Badingilo National Parks. The agreement will allow a collaborative partnership between African Parks, EWCA, the Gambella State, and local communities to channel significant new investment into the region, and develop a comprehensive strategy for conserving the park’s biodiversity.

According to the statement, authorities expect this to enable the region to develop resilience to climate change while promoting the sustainable use of resources for the benefit of the people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

“The newly formed partnership is testament to the power of collaboration. We are looking forward to working with both the region and African Parks, to unlock the full potential of Gambella, not only for Gambella as a region, but for Ethiopia as a whole,” says Kumara Wakjira, Director General, EWCA.

The partnership seeks to achieve a long-term success and sustainable conservation effort beginning with a 12-month transition period. African Parks plans to use the transition period opportunity to better understand the needs of the communities and use their inputs to co-create a management plan.

“This is an important step in the long-term protection of these vital ecosystems and will help secure lasting benefits for the people and wildlife of Ethiopia. I am confident that this will be a productive and successful partnership, which will see significant benefits for the region and the country,” says Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Board Member of the African Parks Network.

With the agreement, Gambella National Park has now joined a network of African Parks which manages 23 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares.

Peter Fearnhead

“This agreement is a testament to their commitment to safeguard the future of Gambella and its vitally important biodiversity, for the benefit of all who rely on it,” says Peter Fearnhead, CEO, African Parks.

Gambella National Park is situated in the south-western part of Ethiopia, covering approximately 4,575 sqkm and was established as a National Park in 1973 to preserve exceptional biodiversity and important wetland habitats.

Ethiopia’s largest national park forms part of a much larger contiguous system of protected areas covering southern of the country and neighbouring South Sudan. Two major river systems, the Baro River in the north and Akobo River in the south, border the park. The home for Ethiopia’s largest population of elephants is rich in its species variety including one of the most endangered giraffe populations in the world, the Nubian giraffe. It also hosts large populations of white-eared kob, Nile lechwe, over 230 bird species and 113 fish species.