Prince Harry has been in enough trouble lately, but it doesn’t seem to end. African Parks, a charity linked to the Sussexes, has faced a wild accusation! Its rangers allegedly committed human rights abuses in Congo-Brazzaville. The royal couple has been part of the organisation since 2016 and has never faced such backlash. So, how much truth does this claim hold?
Prince Harry: Harry’s Organisation Faces Abuse Allegations
In 2023, Prince Harry joined the organisation’s Board of Directors after serving as president for six years. The BBC has asked the Duke of Sussex to comment on the current situation, but he hasn’t replied as we’re writing. So, what is the charity about? African Parks is a major conservation group based in Johannesburg.
Additionally, it manages 23 protected areas across 13 African countries. It is supported by powerful donors and receives over $500,000 annually. As for the allegations, Baka community revealed that the charity’s rangers beat, waterboarded and raped locals. It was done to keep them out of their ancestral forest, which is now a conservation area.
Subsequently, the organisation ordered a review but didn’t make the full report public. African Parks just confirmed that abuse had taken place in Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Meanwhile, UK law firm Omnia Strategy LLP led an investigation into abuse claims at Odzala-Kokoua Park.
Again, it shared findings only with the charity in question, not the public. Where is the transparency?Furthermore, Survival International told the BBC that African Parks had promised more reports, staff, and rules. It said the accused organisation had known about these problems since 2013, but the abuse continued over the decade.
African Parks Haven’t Made the Report Public
On the flip side, African Parks claimed they tried to contact Survival in 2024. However, the organisation refused to cooperate to protect local sources from harm. Moreover, African Parks said they’d improved their functioning in the last five years, especially in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
They hired an anthropologist to support Baka communities and partnered with local human rights groups. It also promised to do an independent human rights check. But why are they not sharing the results of their investigation with the public? Survival International has informed the Duke about the reported abuse of the Baka people.
This controversy follows the whole Sentebale drama in which Harry clashed with chair Sophie Chandauka. He left the charity after she accused him of racism, bullying, mismanagement, and finances. Keep checking out Soap Opera Daily for all the exclusive tea on Prince Harry. Do you think African Parks should publicise their findings?
