An investigation into Prince Harry's former conservation organization has uncovered disturbing allegations involving park rangers who committed serious human rights abuses against indigenous people.
According to The US Sun, African Parks, where the Duke of Sussex served as president from 2017 to 2023, has acknowledged that its rangers were involved in incidents of rape and torture of local residents in the Republic of Congo.
The admission follows a comprehensive review by London-based law firm Omnia Strategy, which began investigating the accusations in December 2023. The investigation was prompted by a Mail on Sunday report published in January that detailed allegations of guards subjecting indigenous people to various forms of abuse while managing protected areas.
African Parks, headquartered in Johannesburg, manages 23 protected areas across 13 African countries. The organization's recent statement highlighted significant shortcomings in their systems, particularly during the early management period of Odzala National Park.
The charity expressed deep regret for the suffering caused to victims. While the full findings and recommendations from Omnia Strategy were not made public, they were sent directly to African Parks for implementation.
Prince Harry, who transitioned from president to board member in 2023, has reportedly been actively involved in understanding the investigation's findings and implementing necessary recommendations.
The human rights abuse scandal emerges amid other charitable challenges for Prince Harry. In March, he stepped down from Sentebale, another African charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
Their departure from Sentebale followed a bitter dispute with board chair Sophie Chandauka. The Zimbabwe-born lawyer released a statement criticizing what she called "unthinkable" infighting within the organization.
Chief Khoabane Theko, chief whip of Lesotho's Senate, claimed Harry's involvement in Sentebale diminished after his marriage to Meghan Markle and subsequent move to the United States. Theko stated:
African Parks acknowledges that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred. We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these [abuses] have caused to the victims.
The Duke of Sussex has maintained strong ties to African conservation efforts throughout his career. His presidency at African Parks represented a significant commitment to wildlife protection and environmental preservation.
There is no indication that any of the alleged abuses occurred during Harry's tenure as president or board member. The investigation also found no evidence suggesting Prince Harry was aware of these incidents.
Harry is no longer listed as a board member on the African Parks website, marking the end of his formal association with the organization.
The human rights abuse scandal has cast a shadow over African Parks' conservation work in Congo. The organization's admission of wrongdoing marks a crucial turning point in addressing past misconduct and implementing reforms. The investigation by Omnia Strategy has prompted African Parks to develop new management plans and timeframes for implementing recommendations. These changes aim to prevent future abuses and restore trust in the organization's operations across the continent.
