Prince Harry Dealt Fresh Blow as Pressure Mounts to Resign From African Charity Amid Abuse Claims
Prince Harry is facing renewed scrutiny as controversy surrounding one of his long-standing charity roles comes under the spotlight.
Prince Harry’s row of continuous controversy with charity organizations seems to have taken yet another turn. He is once again under pressure over his ties to an African wildlife charity after rangers connected to the group were accused of carrying out serious abuses against Indigenous communities.
Harry led African Parks as its president for six years before taking a seat on the charity’s governing board two years ago. The organization has since acknowledged that some of its rangers committed human rights abuses against the Baka people living near Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo after allegations were investigated.
The Duke of Sussex has been informed about the gross violations committed by the charity along with the other board members, and they have been trying to bring about changes. However, calls for him to resign from his position have been put forth by Survival International, an indigenous rights charity. It is the very organization that alleged that abuses by African Parks had been ongoing in the country.
As per the Daily Mail, African Parks acknowledged the allegations last year, saying, “Human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims.” The charity said it was working to rebuild trust with Congolese human rights groups through formal channels and maintained that those accused had been appropriately dealt with.
However, advocacy group Survival International has argued that problems remain unresolved and claims abuse continued despite those assurances. The group also criticized Harry for attending an African Parks fundraising event in Arizona while the controversy remained under scrutiny.
Speaking to Survival International, a leader from the Baka community said, “We don't work with them. The way African Parks treats us here is violent.” They added, “African Parks… want to make us disappear.” “It is outrageous to see Harry's continued support for African Parks despite the horrific human rights abuses committed by its rangers against the Baka,” said the director of Survival International, Caroline Pearce.
MoS conducted an investigation last year and uncovered claims of violence and intimidation involving rangers linked to African Parks in the rainforests of the Republic of the Congo. The reporting included first-hand accounts from members of the Baka community, an Indigenous group whose families have lived off and relied on the forests for generations. They said they were prevented from accessing lands traditionally used for hunting, fishing, foraging, and gathering medicine.
The latest controversy comes as Harry’s ties with Sentebale became completely strained, leading to a defamation lawsuit. He stepped down from the board earlier this year after his fallout with charity chair Sophie Chandauka appeared beyond repair. Meanwhile, the Invictus Games Foundation, another cause close to his heart, has also come under growing scrutiny, with questions being raised about the charity’s finances and how it is being managed.
