Prince Harry has stepped down from the board of directors of African Parks, a prominent conservation-focused non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The announcement was made jointly by the organization and a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex on Monday, 24 August 2026.
A Controversy That Prompted the Departure
The move follows a major human rights controversy linked to African Parks’ operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In May 2025, the NGO publicly acknowledged serious abuses committed by some of its staff at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve — officially known as the Okapi-Okuwa National Park — in northeastern DRC. The admission came after investigative reports published earlier that year by the UK’s Mail on Sunday and Germany’s Tagesschau detailed harrowing allegations from local Indigenous Baka community members. These included claims of killings, sexual violence, torture, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful detentions allegedly carried out by park rangers employed by African Parks.
An independent investigation commissioned by the organization and conducted by the law firm Omnia examined 21 reported incidents involving alleged serious physical and sexual violence—including rape—as well as acts constituting torture or other forms of abuse. While the firm confirmed the gravity of the allegations, it did not release its full findings publicly, in accordance with an agreement with African Parks.
A Decade of Involvement, a Planned Transition
Harry had been associated with African Parks for ten years. He served as its president from 2017 until 2023, when he transitioned to a seat on the board of directors. According to both parties, his departure is part of a planned, natural leadership renewal—not a punitive or reactive measure. African Parks emphasized that Harry ‘did not resign’ from the board but rather concluded his formal role following a decade of service.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex stated: ‘He is proud of the ten years he spent with African Parks and fully supports strengthening the organization’s leadership.’ The statement reaffirmed Harry’s continued commitment to environmental conservation across Africa and his ongoing support for African Parks’ mission.
African Parks currently manages 24 protected areas and national parks across 13 African countries. Meanwhile, Prince Harry—who has lived in the United States with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children since 2020—is expected to relocate back to the United Kingdom with his family in the near future.