In a sudden move, the Chadian government has terminated its 15-year partnership with African Parks, a prominent conservation charity with Prince Harry sitting on its board of directors.
The decision was announced following accusations of financial irregularities, lack of accountability, and disrespectful conduct.
Chad cuts ties with wildlife charity
The charity had been overseeing two of Chad’s key protected areas, the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, but has now been ordered to cease operations in the country “with immediate effect.”
“African Parks has initiated discussions with the ministry to understand the government’s position and to explore the best possible way forward in support of the continued protection of these critical conservation landscapes, as well as to ensure that the significant conservation and social gains achieved over the past 15 years are sustained.”
Serious Allegations Surface
According to a damning four-page government report, officials accused African Parks of:
- Channelling funds through tax havens in the Isle of Man
- Transferring capital overseas “to the detriment of Chad”
- Maintaining unaudited accounts
- Failing to invest adequately in anti-poaching measures
Environment Minister Hassan Bakhit Djamous further criticised the organisation’s conduct, saying it demonstrated a “recurring, indelicate and disrespectful attitude towards the government.”
The breakdown in trust marks a significant deterioration in what was once seen as a landmark conservation partnership.
Prince Harry’s Role Under Scrutiny
Prince Harry’s association with African Parks began in 2016 when he was appointed President. He took a seat on the board of directors in 2023, strengthening his longstanding commitment to wildlife protection across the African continent.
This latest controversy follows another charity-related setback for the Duke of Sussex earlier this year.
He resigned from Sentebale, an organisation he co-founded to support children with HIV in Lesotho and Botswana, after a public falling-out with its chair, Sophie Chandauka.
At the time, Harry said he was “utterly devastated” by the situation.
Although the Charity Commission later found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment at Sentebale, it did issue strong criticism of all involved for allowing a “damaging” internal rift to escalate.
African Parks Faces Mounting Pressure
This isn’t the first time African Parks has faced criticism. Earlier in 2025, the charity acknowledged that rangers under its management committed human rights abuses against an indigenous group in the Republic of Congo.
“We deeply regret the pain and suffering caused to the victims. There is no place for any form of abuse in the name of conservation.”
Founded in 2000, African Parks oversees the management of 24 national parks and protected areas across 13 African nations, including Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia. Its mission centres on preserving biodiversity in regions plagued by conflict, poverty, or limited resources.
But with the collapse of the Chad agreement, questions are mounting about its governance, financial practices, and community engagement strategy.
While African Parks claims it is in talks with Chad’s environment ministry to “explore the best possible way forward,” the damage may be difficult to reverse.
This development is a significant setback for both the charity and Prince Harry, whose efforts in global conservation are now mired in controversy.
With increased public and governmental scrutiny, the future of African Parks’ operations in other nations may now hang in the balance.
As one of the most visible royal figures associated with conservation efforts, Prince Harry now finds himself caught between noble causes and troubled partnerships.
