Chad Terminates Agreement with Wildlife Charity African Parks, Linked to Prince Harry
N’Djamena, Chad – The Chadian government has terminated its agreement with African Parks, a wildlife conservation association managing several of the country’s national parks, citing a lack of investment and accusing the charity of an “arrogant and disrespectful attitude” towards the government and insufficient cooperation with authorities. The decision, communicated in an official letter from Surroundings Minister Hassan Bakhit Djamous on Monday, impacts the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, including Zakouma and Siniaka-Minia national parks.
African Parks, which lists Prince Harry as a board member and former president, manages 22 national parks and protected areas across 12 countries, overseeing more than 20 million hectares of protected land. the charity stated it ”begun talks with the ministry to understand the government’s position and explore the best way forward to support the continued protection of these landscapes that are critical to conservation.”
The Chadian environment ministry specifically blamed a resurgence of poaching in its natural parks on insufficient investment by African Parks.
This latest progress follows earlier controversies surrounding the organization.Earlier this year, African Parks admitted to abuses committed by employees in a park it managed in the Republic of Congo, and later refused to publish an autonomous report detailing the findings.
Founded in 2000, African Parks aims to protect Africa’s national parks and advance conservation, focusing on countries facing challenges due to poverty and conflict. The charity’s funders include the European Union, Rob Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune, and Howard Buffett, son of warren Buffett, providing over $500,000 (£375,000) annually, according to its 2023 annual report.
Prince Harry has been involved with African Parks since 2016, serving as president for six years before becoming a board member in 2023. The decision by Chad comes after Prince Harry recently stepped down from Sentebale, an organization he founded to support children affected by AIDS in Botswana and Lesotho, following a boardroom dispute with chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
