Prince Harry Ends Decade-Long Role With African Parks as Charity Reshapes Board Following Human Rights Controversy

Prince Harry is ending his formal role with African Parks after a decade-long association with the conservation organisation, bringing to a close one of his longest-running commitments in Africa at a particularly sensitive moment for the charity.

African Parks confirmed on August 19 that the Duke of Sussex will conclude his tenure on its Board of Directors as part of what the organisation describes as a wider “governance refresh.” The change follows years of scrutiny over allegations of serious abuses involving Indigenous Baka communities around Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo — allegations that ultimately prompted an independent investigation.

The charity has since acknowledged that human rights abuses occurred in some incidents and admitted shortcomings in its systems and processes. However, there is no evidence that Harry knew about or participated in any of the alleged abuses.

His departure therefore closes an important chapter in his conservation work, but African Parks says the Duke remains supportive of its mission.

Harry to leave African Parks board after ten years

Harry’s relationship with African Parks began in 2016, when he worked alongside the organisation in Malawi on an ambitious wildlife relocation programme.

He later became president of African Parks in 2017, a position he held for six years before joining its Board of Directors in 2023.

Now that formal relationship is coming to an end.

In its announcement, African Parks said Harry would “conclude his tenure following a ten-year commitment to the organisation,” while expressing its gratitude for the attention he brought to conservation and biodiversity protection.

The organisation stressed that the Duke remains committed to conservation and continues to support African Parks’ work.

The changes are due to take effect at the organisation’s next board meeting on September 30.

Harry’s spokesman similarly said the Duke was proud of his decade with the charity and supported the strengthening of its board.

African Parks announces wider governance changes

Harry’s departure is part of a broader restructuring rather than an isolated change.

African Parks has announced that Justice Isaac Lenaola, a judge on Kenya’s Supreme Court, and Alice Ruhweza, president of AGRA, will join its Board of Directors.

Justice Lenaola will chair the board’s Rights and Safeguards Sub-Committee, while Ruhweza will join its Conservation Sub-Committee.

Board chairman Vas Narasimhan thanked Harry for his decade of service while welcoming the new members and highlighting the expertise they will bring to the organisation.

African Parks currently manages 24 protected areas across 13 African countries, covering more than 20 million hectares.

The controversy that put African Parks under intense scrutiny

Harry’s departure comes after a difficult period for the organisation.

African Parks faced serious allegations concerning the treatment of members of the Indigenous Baka community around Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo.

Reports alleged abuses involving eco-guards, prompting the organisation to commission an independent investigation by London-based human rights law firm Omnia Strategy LLP.

African Parks said it first became aware in mid-2023 of allegations involving human rights violations against members of the Baka community. Omnia subsequently instructed specialist human rights barristers from Doughty Street Chambers as part of its investigation.

The investigation was eventually completed and its findings and recommendations were submitted to the African Parks board.

African Parks acknowledged that abuses occurred

In May 2025, African Parks publicly responded to the investigation and acknowledged that human rights abuses had occurred in some incidents.

The organisation said it deeply regretted the suffering experienced by victims and stated that there was “no place for any form of abuse in the name of conservation.”

African Parks also acknowledged failures in its internal systems and processes, particularly during the earlier years of its management of Odzala.

That distinction is important when assessing Harry’s connection to the controversy.

The allegations concerned conduct associated with personnel operating in and around the park; the supplied reporting states that Harry did not know about the accusations before they emerged. There is no evidence that he personally participated in or authorised any alleged abuse.

His role was at the organisational leadership and advocacy level, first as president and later as a board member.

A relationship that began with the “500 Elephants” project

Harry’s connection with African Parks predates the controversy by years.

In July 2016, he joined the organisation in Malawi and worked with teams involved in one of the largest elephant relocation projects undertaken at the time.

The initiative moved hundreds of elephants from Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.

Harry also assisted with wildlife work involving rhinoceros and other species.

His involvement eventually led to his appointment as African Parks president in December 2017.

At the time, the charity praised his commitment to conservation and said his international profile could help draw attention to threats facing wildlife and protected landscapes across Africa.

In 2023, after six years as president, Harry moved onto the organisation’s Board of Directors. African Parks’ 2024 annual report still listed him among the board members.

African Parks says Harry remains a supporter

Despite leaving the board, neither African Parks nor Harry’s representatives have presented the move as a complete break with the organisation’s conservation mission.

African Parks credited the Duke with helping bring international attention to biodiversity protection and philanthropy during his decade of involvement.

The charity said he remains “deeply committed” to conservation and continues to be a strong supporter of its work.

That makes the wording “Harry quits” somewhat more dramatic than the organisation’s own description. Officially, African Parks says he is concluding his tenure as part of a wider governance refresh.

The timing puts renewed attention on Harry’s charity work

The announcement nevertheless comes at a moment when Harry’s charitable relationships have attracted considerable attention.

His association with African Parks has been repeatedly scrutinised since allegations surrounding the Baka community became public, particularly because of his senior position within the organisation.

The controversy raised wider questions about accountability in large-scale conservation programmes and the potential conflict between wildlife protection and the rights of Indigenous communities.

African Parks’ decision to appoint Justice Lenaola — who previously served on the independent panel connected to its Grievance and Redress Mechanism — and make him chair of its Rights and Safeguards Sub-Committee indicates that human rights governance will remain a significant issue for the organisation.

A decade-long chapter closes

Harry’s formal departure therefore carries more significance than a routine board reshuffle.

His relationship with African Parks stretched from hands-on conservation work in Malawi to six years as president and then membership of the organisation’s governing board.

During that period, he became one of its most internationally recognisable supporters.

But African Parks also entered one of the most difficult periods in its history as allegations concerning Indigenous communities prompted an independent investigation and an eventual acknowledgment that abuses had occurred in some cases.

Harry will now leave the board when the governance changes take effect following the September 30 meeting.

African Parks, meanwhile, is attempting to move forward with new leadership expertise in human rights and conservation.

For Harry, the formal position may be ending after ten years — but both his spokesman and African Parks insist his broader commitment to conservation in Africa will continue.