Prince Harry faces mounting pressure to address allegations of rape and abuse within the non-profit organization African Parks, where he serves as a board member and president.
The Duke of Sussex, associated with African Parks for six years, is confronted with harrowing claims from indigenous communities regarding the conduct of the charity's eco-guards.
A recent report highlighted allegations of rape and abuse against the eco-guards operating in the Republic of the Congo, prompting calls for Prince Harry to step down from his position within the organization.
Survival International, a London-based human rights organization, previously raised concerns with Prince Harry regarding the violent treatment of the Baka people by armed guards affiliated with African Parks. Despite assurances from Harry to address the issues, his response was deemed "very disappointing" by Fiore Longo, campaigns director at Survival International.
Now, the organization is urging Prince Harry to resign from African Parks to send a clear message that human rights abuses in the name of conservation are unacceptable.
African Parks has launched an investigation into the allegations, with both the board and chief executive acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations.
Reports indicate instances of abuse, including rape, perpetrated by African Parks guards against the Baka people. One woman came forward, alleging she was raped by a guard three years ago. Despite internal investigation, her attacker was only jailed for two months, raising concerns about accountability and justice within the organization.
As scrutiny intensifies, Prince Harry faces calls to address the allegations and take decisive action to ensure the protection and dignity of indigenous communities associated with African Parks.
