Prince Harry criticised for still leading African Parks charity hit with ‘rape and torture’ claims

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and abuse which some readers may find distressing.

A human rights organisation has demanded that Prince Harry step down from his leadership role on an Africa charity plagued by serious allegations.

The Duke of Sussex is facing renewed criticism over his role at African Parks, a conservation non-profit whose rangers have been accused of rape, torture and violence against indigenous communities in the Republic of the Congo, reports The Times.

This week, indigenous rights group Survival International claimed abuses linked to African Parks are still continuing and called on Harry to resign from the organisation’s board. The Royal served as president of African Parks for six years before joining the board in 2023.

Prince Harry is facing renewed criticism over his role at his charity, African Parks (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

In January 2024, African Parks, which manages 24 protected areas across 13 African countries in partnership with local governments, was accused of funding rangers responsible for human rights abuses against Baka people living near Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo, which the organisation manages.

Allegations included beatings, torture and rape.

African Parks later commissioned an investigation by Cherie Blair’s law firm, Omnia. In May 2025, the organisation admitted that 'human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims'.

Following the report, African Parks said it would strengthen partnerships with Congolese human rights organisations, create a 'bespoke remedy framework', and address indigenous peoples' access to land.

African Parks rangers have been accused of rape, torture and violence against indigenous communities in the Republic of the Congo (Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

When asked about the latest allegations, representatives for Harry referred Tyla to African Parks' May 2025 statement, which also said: "Specifically, in Odzala, we will take action against staff members implicated in previously unknown incidents or those that had not been adequately dealt with, where sufficient evidence is available."

Survival International said on Wednesday (27 May) that 'the problems on the ground have not been solved'.

A Baka community leader told Survival International: "We don’t work with them. The way the African Parks treat us here is violent."

The leader, whose identity was withheld over fears of retaliation from African Parks-funded rangers still operating in Odzala-Kokoua, added: "African Parks … want to make us disappear."

Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, said: "It is outrageous to see Harry’s continued support to African Parks despite the horrific human rights abuses committed by its rangers against the Baka."

Pearce also described the organisation’s 'fortress conservation' approach as 'colonialist and racist', adding: "If there is not a fundamental change in this conservation model, the Baka will be destroyed as a people."

Harry served as president of African Parks for six years before joining the board in 2023 (Pool / Pool / Getty Images)

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for African Parks said: "Over the past several years, African Parks has made substantial and sustained investment in human rights safeguards in Odzala-Kokoua national park.

"This has included the establishment of a fully operational grievance and redress mechanism, three independent human rights NGO partners providing trusted reporting channels for local communities around the park, and an independent panel of eminent African judges and human rights specialists who oversee the grievance mechanism, including the handling of all serious grievances."

African Parks told Tyla in a statement: "Over the past several years, African Parks has made substantial and sustained investment in human rights safeguards in Odzala-Kokoua National Park. This has included the establishment of a fully operational Grievance and Redress Mechanism, three independent human rights NGO partners providing trusted reporting channels for local communities around the park, and an Independent Panel of eminent African judges and human rights specialists who oversee the Grievance Mechanism, including the handling of all serious grievances.

"We have not been made aware of any specific allegation by Survival International, or any other party, through the above-mentioned channels. Should Survival International wish to lodge such an allegation, we would welcome their engagement through these channels, which exist to ensure that any concerns are properly and independently investigated."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.

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