World news | The Guardian
· collected 2026-08-25 · by Caroline Davies
Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of African Parks, a wildlife charity he joined in 2023, after it was accused of human rights abuses by its rangers against local communities in the Republic of the Congo. The charity admitted last year to committing human rights abuses, including beating, waterboarding, and rape, and said it had improved its safeguarding processes since then. Prince Harry remained a trustee for six years before becoming a member of the board, and his spokesperson said he is still an active supporter of African Parks. Survival International, a global human rights charity, had called on Harry to step down from the board.
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Story summary
Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of African Parks, a wildlife charity that was at the centre of a human rights controversy in the Republic of the Congo. African Parks' rangers were accused of beating, waterboarding, and raping locals to prevent them from accessing their ancestral forests, which are now part of a conservation area. An independent review confirmed these allegations, and African Parks later acknowledged that human rights abuses did occur. Despite this, Prince Harry's spokesperson said he remains an active supporter of the charity, where he served as president for six years before joining its board in 2023. The controversy has been condemned by Survival International, a human rights organization that advocates for Indigenous communities. This is not the first time African Parks has faced criticism over its handling of Indigenous communities; it also admitted to human rights abuses in 2024. Prince Harry's involvement with the charity dates back to 2013, when he was president. The allegations against African Parks' rangers were made by members of the Baka community, who said they were subjected to abuse and violence while trying to access their ancestral forests.
Written for “Prince Harry Charity Resignation” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 2162 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-27
The Duke of Sussex has stepped down from the board of a major African wildlife charity that had been at the centre of a human rights controversy.
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that → step → controversy
Prince Harry’s spokesperson confirmed he was no longer a trustee of African Parks, which admitted last year that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers in the Republic of the Congo.
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abuses → confirm → Congo
The charity’s admission followed an independent review into allegations made by members of the Baka community.
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admission → follow → community
In a 2024 report published by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, community members accused African Parks rangers of beating, waterboarding and raping locals to stop them from accessing their ancestral forests, which are now in a conservation area.
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which → publish → area
After the review, African Parks published a statement acknowledging that human rights abuses occurred in the Odzala-Kokoua national park, which it manages.
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it → publish → which
It said that it had improved its safeguarding processes both at the park and institutionally.
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it → say → park
A spokesperson for Harry said the duke, who was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023, remained an active and avid supporter of African Parks.
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he → say → Parks
“The duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board,” the spokesperson said.
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spokesperson → support → board
“His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission.”
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he → continue → mission
Survival International, a global human rights charity that campaigns for the rights of Indigenous people, had called on Harry to step down as a member of the board.
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that → campaign → board
Caroline Pearce, the executive director of Survival International, said it was “outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks” while people working for it had “been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
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people → say → people
His departure doesn’t undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good.”
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Parks → undo → conservation
Founded 26 years ago, African Parks manages more than 20m hectares (50m acres) in partnership with 13 African governments and hundreds of local communities.
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Parks → found → communities
African Parks expressed “deep gratitude” to the duke on concluding his tenure after his 10-year commitment to the organisation.
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Parks → express → organisation
“His relationship with the organisation dates back to Malawi in July 2016, when he supported one of the largest elephant translocations in history.
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he → date → history
He served as president for six years before being appointed a member of the board of directors,” it said.
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it → serve → directors
“Over the years, the duke has brought global attention to the urgent need for biodiversity protection for the benefit of people and wildlife, and has contributed greatly to promoting philanthropy for the cause of conservation in Africa.
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duke → bring → Africa
The duke remains deeply committed to this cause, and remains a strong supporter of African Parks’ work.
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duke → remain → work
The announcement comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to relocate to the UK from California with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
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Duke → come → children
Former Suits star Meghan is said to be pursuing an acting role, with reports she has been in talks about a role in the third series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit The Gentlemen, swiftly followed by other reports that the deal was off.
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deal → say → reports
The couple are understood to be planning an “extended stay” in the UK, and their children are already enrolled in school, but it has not been confirmed for how long.
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it → understand → school
