Chad Cuts Ties with Prince Harry’s African Parks Charity in ‘Disrespectful’ Dispute

Chad Ends Partnership with Prince Harry’s Charity Due to Alleged Misconduct

In a recent development, the government of Chad has decided to sever ties with African Parks, a conservation charity with close associations to Prince Harry. The 15-year partnership between Chad and African Parks has been abruptly terminated, with the Chadian government accusing the charity of financial impropriety, breaches of contract, and lacking transparency. Prince Harry served as the president of African Parks from 2017 to 2023 before joining its board.

African Parks is a non-profit organisation that manages 24 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries across Africa, including significant regions in Chad such as the Ennedi area and the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem. Hassan Bakhit Djamous, Chad’s environment minister, released a statement announcing the immediate end of the government’s partnership with the charity. The government’s allegations against African Parks include a disrespectful attitude towards the government, illegal collection of tourism revenues, offshore accounts, and violations of national regulations.

Responding to these accusations, African Parks stated that they are in discussions with the Ministry to understand the government’s position and work towards preserving conservation efforts in the region. The charity emphasised its commitment to the protection of critical landscapes and ensuring the sustainability of conservation and social progress achieved over the years. Despite these controversies, a spokesperson for Prince Harry refrained from commenting on Chad’s decision to disassociate from African Parks.

This recent dispute adds to the list of challenges faced by African Parks in 2025. Earlier in the year, an independent investigation revealed that rangers associated with African Parks had committed acts of violence against indigenous people, including rape and torture. While the organisation acknowledged the findings and expressed regret for the incidents, full details of the investigation conducted by Omnia Strategy LLP were not publicly disclosed. African Parks pledged to address the identified shortcomings and take corrective action.

The charity’s troubles come amidst ongoing controversies surrounding Prince Harry’s other African charity, Sentebale. In March 2025, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down as patrons of Sentebale, a decision made in response to internal conflicts within the organisation. Allegations of poor governance, abuse of power, and harassment were cited as reasons behind the princes’ withdrawal from the charity. This decision followed a legal dispute between Sentebale’s board of trustees and chairperson, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.

Dr. Chandauka raised concerns about governance issues within Sentebale, leading to her alleged forced resignation. While the Charity Commission for England and Wales investigated the matter and found no evidence of widespread misconduct, tensions within the charity persisted. The controversies surrounding both African Parks and Sentebale underscore the challenges faced by charitable organisations operating in complex and sensitive environments.

The implications of Chad’s decision to cut ties with African Parks are significant, raising questions about the accountability of international charities and the complexities of conservation efforts in Africa. As developments unfold, it remains to be seen how African Parks will address the allegations levelled against it and work towards rebuilding trust with stakeholders. Prince Harry’s involvement with these charities underscores the broader challenges faced by members of the royal family in navigating charitable engagements in a global context.