Prince Harry faces a significant setback as a prominent conservation charity, African Parks, which he actively supports, is under scrutiny for allegedly running an armed militia.
The mail on Sunday published an investigation revealing that guards affiliated with the charity have been accused of committing various human rights abuses against indigenous communities. Prince Harry has been associated with African Parks since 2016, assuming the role of its president in December 2017, and was recently elevated to the governing board of directors last year.
In his capacity as president, Prince Harry has been instrumental in advancing the NGO's mission to protect Africa's national parks and promote wildlife conservation globally. However, the charity now faces severe allegations, prompting calls for Prince Harry to reconsider his involvement.
Survival International, an organization advocating for indigenous peoples' rights, has initiated a campaign urging the prince and donors to sever ties with African Parks amid reports of beatings, rape, and torture perpetrated by some of its guards.
African Parks manages national parks in 12 African countries through government partnerships and has been accused of subjecting indigenous people, particularly the Baka, to disturbing intimidation. Testimonies suggest that these communities have been prevented from entering forests where they traditionally foraged, fished, hunted, and sought medicine for generations. Caroline Pierce, the director of Survival International, expressed deep concern over the atrocities, calling for Prince Harry to distance himself from the charity, which she accuses of being complicit in heinous abuse.
Survival International claims that similar suffering, deprivation, and destruction of traditional communities are inflicted by other conservation bodies across Africa and Asia. The organization previously wrote a letter to Prince Harry in May, highlighting instances of violent intimidation and torture, including the rape of a young mother by a guard. Despite some actions taken, such as the dismissal and imprisonment of the responsible guard, concerns persist regarding the charity's overall accountability.
In response to the allegations, Prince Harry's Foundation, Archewell, stated that upon learning of the serious allegations, the Duke immediately escalated the matter to the CEO and chairman of the board of African Parks.
Archewell emphasized that these individuals are the appropriate authorities to handle the next steps in addressing the allegations. The Baka people, who reside in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, managed by African Parks since 2010, have been particularly affected.
African Parks, funded by the EU, the US government, and wealthy philanthropists, including a Swiss billionaire associated with Chelsea Football Club, has asserted a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse. It emphasizes its commitment to upholding the rights of local and indigenous people.
Ironically, despite Archewell's recent condemnation of the abuses and its proclaimed zero-tolerance stance, financial records indicate that Archewell has not made any donations to African Parks, calling into question the foundation's commitment to its stated values. The situation underscores the need for concrete actions in addition to statements of condemnation.
