Prince Harry, a former senior royal family official, has received heartbreaking news as Survival International asked him to step down as a board member of African Parks.
In a shocking development, the indigenous rights charity has urged the Duke of Sussex to leave African Parks. Harry became a formally appointed board member in 2023, but the group is now facing increased scrutiny after admissions and allegations of serious wrongdoing across its operations.
Harry, 41, joined the organization in 2016, moving from on-the-ground volunteer to official president.
The Duke of Sussex attended a fundraising event in Scottsdale, Arizona this week as the organization seeks to raise a further $1 billion (£743 million).
Following an independent investigation by law firm Omnia Strategy, African Parks admitted in May 2025 that its ecoguards had committed serious human rights violations.
The allegations included rapes and beatings against the indigenous Baka people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo.
Critics condemned his decision to keep the full investigation report confidential.
African Parks takes full responsibility for the management of national parks in 13 countries in Central, Southern, Eastern and Western Africa, protecting wildlife and supporting local communities.
In Chad, the government temporarily suspended the management mandate of African Parks due to allegations of fraud, financial mismanagement and unexplained wildlife deaths, although operations were later reinstated under pressure from international donors like the European Union.
On Wednesday, Survival International told Times that “the problems on the ground are not resolved”.
Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, told the publication: “It is scandalous to see Harry’s continued support for African Parks despite the horrific human rights abuses committed by his rangers against the Baka. »
In response, an African Parks spokesperson said: “Over recent years, African Parks has made substantial and sustained investments in the protection of human rights in Odzala-Kokoua National Park. »
According to the statement, three independent human rights NGO partners provide reliable reporting channels to local communities around the park, as well as an independent panel of prominent African judges and human rights specialists who oversee the grievance mechanism, including the handling of all serious grievances.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Sussex’s representatives referred to the release of the statement made by African Parks in May 2025, which read: “Specifically, at Odzala, we will take action against members of staff involved in incidents that are previously unknown or have not been adequately addressed, where sufficient evidence is available. »
However, there is no suggestion that Prince Harry was involved in, aware of, or connected to any of the alleged abuse.
