Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of directors of African Parks, a conservation organization where he served as a trustee for the past ten years. The departure comes as the charity faces allegations of human rights abuses by its rangers.
African Parks announced the Duke of Sussex's stepping down as part of what the organization termed a 'governance refresh.' The charity expressed gratitude for Harry's ten-year commitment, stating he brought global attention to biodiversity protection and promoted philanthropy for conservation in Africa. He previously served as the organization's president for six years.
A report by The Mail on Sunday in 2024 detailed accusations of intimidation and abuse against indigenous people in the Republic of the Congo by guards employed by African Parks. The investigation included testimonies alleging rapes and beatings inflicted on the Baka people to prevent them from accessing ancestral forests. One account described a woman being raped by a guard while holding her infant, and a teenager claimed to have been subjected to sexual grooming by another guard. A community activist also reported the death of a Baka man after being beaten and jailed without adequate medical care.
Following these allegations, African Parks initiated an independent review, which led the charity to admit in May of the previous year that human rights abuses had occurred in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park. The charity stated that the review highlighted failures in its systems and processes, particularly in the early years of managing the park. African Parks acknowledged the pain and suffering caused to victims and stated it had endorsed a management plan to implement the review's recommendations, though the probe's specific results were not publicly shared.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry stated that the Duke is proud of his ten years with African Parks, fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board, and remains committed to conservation in Africa and a supporter of the organization's mission.
The Charity Commission recommends a maximum trustee tenure of nine years, barring exceptional circumstances. Prince Harry's departure from African Parks coincides with reports of his imminent return to the UK with his wife Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, after six years in the United States. The couple's children are reportedly enrolled in British schools and are expected to begin classes in September. The family is expected to reside in a private home outside London.