In brief
Chad's government has terminated its agreement with African Parks, a charity associated with Prince Harry, due to alleged failures in managing poaching and a lack of cooperation. The move marks a significant shift in conservation efforts within the country, which had relied on the organization for stewardship of its protected areas.
The Chadian government has officially cut ties with the controversial conservation organization African Parks, which has Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, on its board of directors. This termination of a 15-year agreement was prompted by allegations that the charity failed to curb poaching within two of the country's wildlife reserves, namely the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem.Chad's environment ministry criticized African Parks for displaying an 'arrogant and disrespectful attitude' and for a lack of cooperation with government authorities. In response, African Parks has indicated that it is seeking to engage with the Chadian ministry to better understand the government’s stance and to discuss ways to continue supporting conservation efforts.Founded in 2000, African Parks aims to manage national parks and protected areas across Africa, with a goal of making them ecologically and financially sustainable. However, it has faced multiple controversies, including recent admissions of employee misconduct in a park in the Republic of Congo. This decision from Chad marks a further challenge for Prince Harry's charitable endeavors, following his earlier resignation from another charity he founded, Sentebale, amid a high-profile boardroom conflict. The outcome of this latest situation remains uncertain as both parties look to navigate the future of wildlife conservation in Chad.
