It seems that things are not going well for Prince Harry on the African continent. Chad has decided to end its collaboration with African Parks, the environmental conservation organization of which the Duke is a board member.
The country’s Ministry of the Environment was quite clear in pointing out what it called an “impolite and disrespectful” attitude on the part of the entity. They also claim that efforts to combat poaching have not been effective enough.
The announcement marks the end of a 15-year partnership between Chad and African Parks, which had taken over the management of important natural areas such as the Ennedi Reserve and the Zakouma Ecosystem.
According to the organization’s data, they managed to increase the elephant population from 450 to 550 over nearly a decade. However, local authorities now claim that the effort has stalled and that there has even been a resurgence in illegal hunting.
African Parks responded that they are in talks to “explore the best way to continue supporting the protection of these critical conservation landscapes.” However, the context is not the most favorable.
A few months ago, the same organization acknowledged that guards in another of its parks had abused displaced indigenous communities, which damaged its international reputation.
In Harry’s case, this new blow comes after he stepped down from his role at Sentebale, the foundation he established in memory of his mother, Princess Diana.
Some British media outlets suggest that the Duke feels “devastated” by the recent conflicts within the charities he was working with.
Even so, he continues to work on causes he considers essential, such as the Invictus Games Foundation and the Halo Trust, upholding the legacy of solidarity that deeply influenced his mother.