The Chadian government has officially terminated its partnership with African Parks, a conservation organization notable for having Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, on its board. This decision marks a significant break after a 15-year mandate for the charity to manage two of Chad’s protected wildlife sites.
The Ministry of Environment in Chad has cited “an arrogant and disrespectful attitude” from African Parks towards the government, along with a perceived failure to adequately combat poaching within the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem. These two reserves were among the 22 protected areas across 12 African nations managed by the organization.
African Parks, which was founded in 2000 with the mission to protect Africa’s national parks and wildlife, has stated it is engaging in talks with the Chadian ministry to understand the decision and determine the best path forward for conservation efforts in the region.
This development adds to recent controversies surrounding African Parks. Earlier this year, the organization acknowledged misconduct by its staff in a park in the Republic of Congo, involving abuses against the local community. A subsequent refusal to publish an independent report on these findings has drawn further scrutiny.
Prince Harry has been actively involved with African Parks since 2016, serving as its president for six years before joining the board of directors in 2023. The charity, which receives substantial funding from various international bodies and private donors, aims to create sustainable conservation models for protected areas across the continent.
The Chadian government’s decision comes after Prince Harry’s recent stepping down from Sentebale, another charitable organization he co-founded, following a public disagreement with its chairwoman.
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