Prince Harry Leaves African Parks Board After Charity Acknowledges Human Rights Abuses

Prince Harry is stepping down from the board of African Parks after a decade with the conservation charity, which previously acknowledged that human rights abuses had occurred at a national park under its management.

The Duke of Sussex’s departure follows what African Parks described as a “governance refresh.” He had served as a trustee and board member after previously spending six years as the organisation’s president.

His exit comes after African Parks faced serious allegations involving the treatment of Indigenous people in the Republic of the Congo. The claims, which were investigated by The Mail on Sunday, included accusations of rape, beatings and intimidation by guards managed and paid by the charity.

The allegations were made without Harry’s knowledge. He reportedly became aware of them only after they emerged publicly.

African Parks thanks Harry for decade of service

Announcing the departure, African Parks expressed its “deep gratitude” to Harry and confirmed that he would conclude his tenure following ten years of involvement.

“Over the years, The Duke has brought global attention to the urgent need for biodiversity protection for the benefit of people and wildlife, and has contributed greatly to promoting philanthropy for the cause of conservation in Africa,” the organisation said.

African Parks added that Harry remained “deeply committed” to conservation and continued to be a “strong supporter” of its work.

A spokesperson for the Duke said: “The Duke is proud of his ten years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its Board.

“His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission.”

The Charity Commission recommends that trustees generally serve no longer than nine years, except in exceptional circumstances.

Investigation uncovered allegations involving Indigenous communities

A 2024 investigation by The Mail on Sunday collected testimony concerning alleged abuses against the Baka, an Indigenous group whose communities have relied on the forests for fishing, hunting, foraging and traditional medicines for generations.

One woman alleged that an armed guard raped her while she was holding her newborn baby. A teenage boy claimed another guard groomed him for paid sex.

A community activist also alleged that a Baka man died after being beaten and detained without receiving treatment for his injuries.

The accusations related to guards working in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo, which is managed by African Parks.

Following the reports, the charity commissioned an independent review conducted by London law firm Omnia Strategy LLP. The findings were delivered directly to African Parks but were not released publicly.

African Parks later acknowledged that human rights abuses had taken place at the park since December 2023.

Charity admitted failures in its safeguards

In a statement issued in May 2025, African Parks said its board had reviewed Omnia’s advice and approved a management plan and timetable for implementing the resulting recommendations.

“African Parks acknowledges that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims,” the organisation said.

It also acknowledged shortcomings in its internal safeguards.

“Omnia’s process also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us, particularly in the early years of our management of Odzala,” the statement continued.

The charity said in 2025 that it had since strengthened its safeguarding procedures, both within Odzala-Kokoua National Park and across the wider organisation.

Campaign group calls for greater accountability

Caroline Pearce, director of the human rights organisation Survival International, criticised Harry’s decade-long association with African Parks following news of his departure.

“It’s outrageous that for ten years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people,” she said.

“His departure doesn’t undo that record. African Parks itself must now be held accountable and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good.”

Harry has supported African conservation projects for years. In 2016, he helped relocate hundreds of elephants in Malawi to a safer habitat during an operation organised by African Parks, later describing the experience as “amazing.”

Departure comes ahead of reported UK return

News of Harry’s departure emerged amid reports that he and Meghan Markle are preparing to return to Britain with their children after six years in the United States.

A source close to the Sussexes said Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, had been enrolled in British schools and were expected to begin classes in September.

The family is believed to be considering a private residence outside London, separate from the royal estate, with the Cotswolds mentioned as one possible location. They have lived in Montecito, California, since leaving royal duties and also own a holiday property in Portugal.

The couple’s royal status is not expected to change. Reports indicate that they will remain private, non-working members of the Royal Family and will not receive the “half in, half out” arrangement they originally sought.

Harry and Meghan married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in May 2018. At the time, they were frequently presented alongside Prince William and Catherine, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, as part of the so-called “Fab Four.”

In March 2019, Buckingham Palace announced that the Sussexes would establish a separate household from William and Catherine amid reports of growing tension between the couples.

Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they intended to step back as senior royals, become financially independent and divide their time between Britain and North America. By March of that year, they had settled in California, formally ended their roles as senior working royals and stopped using their HRH styles.

Relations with the Royal Family later deteriorated further following Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary and the publication of Harry’s memoir, Spare.

In the book, Harry alleged that William physically attacked him during an argument concerning Meghan and pushed him onto a dog bowl. He also claimed that William and Catherine encouraged him to wear a Nazi uniform to a costume party in 2005 and laughed when they saw it.