Prince Harry's Charity in Crisis: Chad Cuts Ties Over 'Disrespect'

SCANDAL ROCKS WILDLIFE CHARITY TIED TO PRINCE HARRY: AFRICAN COUNTRY CUTS TIES OVER 'DISRESPECTFUL' ATTITUDE AND ALLEGED ABUSES

In a shocking turn of events, Chad has severed its 15-year partnership with African Parks, a wildlife charity co-founded by Prince Harry. The move comes after the environment minister, Hassan Bakhit Djamous, publicly accused the organization of displaying a "recurring indelicate and disrespectful attitude toward the government." This dramatic split is just the latest blow to hit African Parks, which has been rocked by allegations of intimidation, abuse, and human rights abuses in recent months.

The charity's relationship with Chad began to fray last year when an investigation by The Scholarly Note revealed evidence of shocking atrocities committed by guards managed and paid by African Parks. In the Republic of the Congo's rainforests, guards allegedly used intimidation, rape, and beatings to control indigenous communities, including allegations of rapes and beatings inflicted on women and children.

One harrowing account came from a young woman who claimed to have been raped by an armed guard while clinging to her newborn baby. A teenage boy also alleged that he was groomed for paid sex by another guard. Community activists shared stories of a Baka man dying after being beaten and jailed without medical treatment.

In response, African Parks launched an independent review, led by London law firm Omnia Strategy LLP. The results of the probe were damning, confirming that human rights abuses had indeed occurred in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park since December 2023. In a statement, the charity acknowledged that some incidents involved rape and other forms of abuse, expressing "deep regret" for the pain and suffering inflicted on victims.

However, critics argue that this apology comes too little, too late. They point out that African Parks had previously denied any wrongdoing, claiming that their guards were "working tirelessly to protect both people and wildlife." But behind-the-scenes documents obtained by The Scholarly Note revealed a more sinister reality: African Parks' management of the Odzala-Kokoua National Park was plagued by systemic failures, inadequate training, and a culture of impunity.

The fallout from this scandal has been intense. In May, Prince Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, faced criticism for her supposed ties to African Parks, which some accused of using their royal connections to whitewash human rights abuses. Meanwhile, African Parks' leadership was left scrambling to contain the damage, with CEO Peter Jones issuing a statement assuring the public that they were "committed to transparency and accountability."

But Chad's decision to cut ties with African Parks has raised questions about the charity's true commitment to these values. For years, African Parks has touted its success in restoring elephant populations at the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem. But now, as allegations of abuse continue to surface, one wonders whether this was all just a smokescreen for a more sinister agenda.

African Parks' partnership with Chad was set to run until 2037, but the country's decision to end their agreement six months early has left many wondering what will happen next. Will African Parks be able to recover from this blow? Or will the scandal prove too great for the charity to overcome?

As The Scholarly Note continues to investigate these allegations, one thing is clear: the world of wildlife conservation is not as straightforward as it seems. Behind closed doors, organizations like African Parks are grappling with complex issues that threaten to undermine their very existence.

In a statement, African Parks vowed to "better understand the government's position" and "explore the best way forward to support the continued protection of these critical landscapes." But for now, the future of this high-profile partnership remains uncertain – and the reputation of Prince Harry's charity hangs precariously in the balance.