African Government Ends Partnership with Prince Harry's Charity, Sparking Controversy

Chad has kicked out African Parks, a major conservation charity overseen by Prince Harry, from managing its protected areas after 15 years. The government accused the organization of arrogance, financial misconduct, and failing to protect wildlife despite backing from billionaire donors.

The Chadian Environment Minister Hassan Bakheit Jamous announced the immediate end of the partnership, stripping African Parks of its role in protecting wildlife in the Ennedi region and the Greater Zakouma ecosystem, which includes two national parks.

Prince Harry led African Parks as president from 2017 to 2023 before joining its board. The charity, founded in 2000, manages over 24 protected areas across 13 African countries with financial support from billionaires like Howard Buffett and Bill Ackman.

But Chad's government hit the organization with serious allegations in a four-page document. Officials accused African Parks of keeping unaudited accounts and hiding how it collected revenue. The government said the charity gathered tourism income, used bank accounts in the Isle of Man tax haven, and moved capital overseas at Chad's expense - breaking national banking and tax rules.

The financial arrangements raise questions about how international conservation groups operate in Africa. Many rely on wealthy Western donors but work in countries with limited oversight capabilities. Chad's complaints suggest a pattern where foreign organizations may prioritize donor relationships over local government partnerships.

Jamous said African Parks showed repeated disrespectful behavior toward the government. He also claimed poaching had increased, partly due to insufficient investment by the charity in the reserves - a direct challenge to the organization's conservation record.

This matters because African Parks represents a major model for conservation funding in Africa. The organization attracts significant private money to protect endangered species and ecosystems. But Chad's decision could signal growing African government frustration with how foreign conservation groups operate on their territory.

The split also puts Prince Harry's conservation work under scrutiny. His involvement with African Parks was part of his public profile after stepping back from royal duties. The allegations of financial irregularities and conservation failures could damage both his reputation and the broader celebrity-backed conservation movement.

African Parks confirmed it received official notice from Chad's environment ministry on October 6 about the government's unilateral decision to end cooperation. The organization hasn't directly addressed the specific allegations about financial misconduct or conservation failures.