Full Breakdown
Prince Harry Leaves African Parks as Human-Rights Allegations Intensify
By Drooid · · How we work
Prince Harry’s Departure Amid Growing Scrutiny
Prince Harry, who became president of African Parks in 2017 and joined its board in 2023, is set to step down within weeks. Dutch journalist and author Olivier van Beemen, who has investigated the South-Africa-based NGO, says the prince’s high profile has become a liability for both parties. Harry’s fame initially helped attract donors and media attention, but his strained relationship with the royal family and the NGO’s mounting controversies have reduced the perceived benefit of his involvement.
African Parks’ Conservation Model and Scale
African Parks manages 24 protected areas across 13 African countries, covering more than 20 million hectares. Its delegated-management model transfers long-term park administration to the NGO while the land remains state-owned. The organization handles conservation, infrastructure, tourism and anti-poaching operations, and aims to manage up to 30 parks by 2030. European, including German, funding supports many of these projects, enabling partnerships with local communities.
Allegations of Human-Rights Abuses
Critics, citing van Beemen’s reporting, describe African Parks’ armed rangers as “a state within a state,” noting that they can use force and sometimes manage border controls. The most serious accusations stem from 2023 incidents at Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, where members of the indigenous Baka community reported violence, torture and sexual abuse by rangers. An investigation commissioned by the NGO was never published, and the report was not shared with the Congolese government. Van Beemen also highlights a vague definition of poaching that classifies subsistence hunters as poachers, leading to reports of beatings and torture in Zambia.
Organizational Responses and Criticisms
African Parks rejects van Beemen’s portrayal, calling his book “hundreds of factual inaccuracies” and “deeply misleading statements.” The NGO asserts a zero-tolerance policy toward abuse, cites human-rights training for staff, and points to a complaints mechanism. It also argues that some alleged incidents occurred outside its control. Nonetheless, van Beemen contends the organization remains opaque about the full scope of the scandals.
Broader Implications
Harry’s exit underscores the reputational risk for high-profile patrons of NGOs facing rights concerns. The controversy also raises questions about the delegated-management model, which grants NGOs extensive authority over state lands while relying on international funding. As European donors continue to support African Parks, scrutiny of accountability mechanisms is likely to increase.
