Overview
- Survival International renewed calls this week for Prince Harry to step down from African Parks’ board after saying abuses persist in Odzala‑Kokoua National Park and criticising his recent appearance at a fundraising event in Arizona.
- African Parks publicly admitted in May 2025 that some eco‑guards committed serious human‑rights abuses against the Baka people and says it has since set up a grievance and redress mechanism and oversight by an independent panel.
- Campaigners, indigenous representatives and journalists say problems continue on the ground and have condemned the charity’s decision to withhold the full independent Omnia Strategy report from public view.
- There are no allegations that Prince Harry was personally involved in the abuses, but his board role has increased reputational pressure on African Parks and raised questions for major donors such as the UK government and the European Union.
- Baka testimonies collected by media include allegations of rape, beatings and intimidation, and the dispute could trigger donor reviews, a governance overhaul at African Parks, or further demands for reparations and independent monitoring.