This case study differs from the others presented in that the impacts experienced by Ethiopia were a result of the country's engagement in different types of armed conflict that were long in duration. The constraints to conservation- and protected-area management under these conditions were: A continual lack of economic and social development on a countrywide basis, the adoption and enforcement of inappropriate government policies, and widespread hunting due to increased access to weaponry.
The complexity of the conservation situation, however, does not prevent us from deriving some solutions like those derived for the other case studies presented here. These are: 1) Areas that experienced the fewest losses were those where the local communities were involved in protected-area management; 2) Receiving some form of relief or assistance; and 3) Working with various sectors to seek solutions to improve their situation.
Given that conflict may be a recurring theme in parts of Africa, the solutions presented here point to the need for an integrated approach to conservation and management. This is true not only for Ethiopia's protected areas and natural assets, but for those of other African countries. Furthermore, without addressing issues outside the boundaries of most protected areas, there is little hope of successful conservation or management within them. The long-term success of conservation -- using the solutions presented here and in other case studies -- also depends on a long-term commitment by all government organizations, NGOs, and their representatives with regard to the projects and people with whom they work. In this way people can learn to trust and respect each other, and share rights and responsibilities at all levels. Foregoing engagement in armed conflict and a real commitment to economic growth, development, and conservation also is essential. African countries otherwise can expect to lose much in terms of their many natural and human resources.