Africa · 24 August, 2026 · 2 min read
Prince Harry Steps Down From African Parks Board After Congo-Brazzaville Human Rights Abuses
Prince Harry steps down from African Parks board after about a decade of involvement. African Parks admitted human rights abuses by rangers in a Republic of the Congo park.
8 outlets, one story, no spin found.
7 of 8 outlets skipped it: governance refresh takes effect at a board meeting on September 30.
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Harry exits African Parks
Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of African Parks, an African wildlife charity whose rangers were found to have committed human rights abuses against indigenous people in the Republic of the Congo.
“The Duke of Sussex has stepped down from the board of an African wildlife charity”
A spokesman for Prince Harry confirmed he was stepping down after being president for the charity for six years before becoming a member of its board of directors in 2023, and said he remains a "supporter of its mission".
The charity said last year it admitted human rights abuses were committed by its rangers in Congo-Brazzaville, and it described the change as a "governance refresh of its board of directors".
African Parks manages around 20 national parks and protected areas across 12 countries, and it said it thanked Prince Harry for his association while he concluded his tenure following a "ten-year commitment".
Abuse findings and quotes
Survivors and union officials in the reporting described abuses in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, where an independent human rights investigation into allegations said guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people.
Prince Harry’s spokesman said, "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board," while African Parks said he "brought global attention to the urgent need for biodiversity protection".
The Daily Mail reported that an investigation by The Mail on Sunday in 2024 discovered evidence of intimidation and abuse in the rainforests of the Republic of the Congo by guards managed and paid by the African Parks charity, including allegations of rapes and beatings.
The Epping Forest Guardian also quoted the spokesman saying, "His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
What changes next
African Parks said the board refresh would include new directors, with the Washington Times reporting that a Kenyan Supreme Court justice and the president of AGRA would join the board as changes take effect Sept. 30.
“The changes take effect Sept. 30.”
The Female First report said Harry’s departure comes as African Parks appointed two new directors, Justice Isaac Lenaola and Alice Ruhweza, and that the changes formally take effect at its board meeting on September 30.
The Daily Mail added that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were returning to the UK with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet after six years in the US, with Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, enrolled at British schools starting in September.
Across the coverage, Prince Harry’s spokesman reiterated that he "fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its Board," even as the charity faced scrutiny over human rights abuses in Congo-Brazzaville and Odzala-Kokoua National Park.