Prince Harry has resigned from the board of African Parks, the conservation charity he co-founded, following mounting criticism over alleged human rights abuses by the organisation's rangers.
Resignation from co-founded charity
The Duke of Sussex stepped down from his role as a board member of the non-profit, which manages national parks across Africa. The decision comes after years of pressure from campaigners and investigative reports linking the charity's anti-poaching operations to abuses including torture and unlawful killings.
African Parks, established in 2000, manages 22 protected areas in 12 countries. Prince Harry had served on the board since 2017, when he joined as a patron and later became a board member.
Allegations and response
The charity has faced repeated allegations that its rangers have committed human rights violations, including extrajudicial executions and beatings, while carrying out their conservation duties. Reports have documented incidents in several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the charity confirmed the resignation and said it "regrets" the decision, adding that the organisation remains committed to its conservation mission. The statement did not address the specific allegations.
Impact of the departure
Prince Harry's departure marks a significant blow to the charity's public profile, as he was one of its most prominent advocates. The resignation follows similar moves by other high-profile figures who have distanced themselves from organisations facing ethical scrutiny.
The charity said it will continue its work with governments and local communities to protect wildlife, but the resignation is likely to intensify scrutiny of its operations and fuel further debate over the balance between conservation and human rights.
