Prince Harry’s ties to the conservation charity African Parks have come under fire following shocking accusations of mistreatment and violence against the Baka people in the Republic of Congo.
The recent exposé has triggered a wave of outrage, demanding that the Duke of Sussex disassociate himself from the organization without delay.
A thorough investigation by the Mail on Sunday has brought to light disturbing incidents involving guards hired by African Parks, a non-profit group where Prince Harry serves as a board member.
These guards stand accused of perpetrating a range of atrocities against the indigenous Baka community, including acts of torture, s**ual assault, and the tragic death of a Baka man due to severe beatings.
The Baka people, who have deep roots in the Congo rainforest spanning generations, have traditionally been the guardians of their land.
However, the creation of the Atsalakakwa National Park under the management of African Parks has resulted in the forceful displacement of the Baka from their ancestral territories, depriving them of vital resources crucial for their sustenance.
One poignant plea came from Moyambai Fulbert, a Baka individual, directed at Prince Harry, urging him to withdraw his support for African Parks.
Fulbert highlighted the stark contrast in living conditions between the privileged and the marginalized, attributing their plight to the actions of the organization.
The investigation further unveiled distressing testimonies detailing the ordeal endured by the Baka at the hands of African Parks’ armed personnel.
Accounts of captivity, chaining, brutal torture methods such as submersion and whipping, and even s**ual assault on women with infants paint a grim picture of the abuse inflicted upon the indigenous community.
Beyond physical harm, the Baka have been denied access to their customary forest lands, impeding their ability to gather food, medicines, and essential provisions.
This severe restriction has left the Baka community grappling with severe hardships, jeopardizing their survival and traditional way of life.
Survival International, a longstanding advocate for indigenous rights, has condemned African Parks for its role in the displacement and mistreatment of the Baka people.
The organization’s director, Caroline Pierce, has called upon Prince Harry to disassociate himself from an entity complicit in such grave violations against indigenous communities.
While allegations against African Parks are not novel, with prior reports of abuses surfacing over the years, the organization maintains a zero-tolerance stance towards misconduct and asserts its commitment to upholding local and indigenous rights.
However, internal investigations conducted by African Parks have faced scrutiny for lacking transparency and impartiality.
The revelations have cast a shadow over Prince Harry’s association with African Parks, prompting skepticism regarding his dedication to human rights and environmental preservation.
As a prominent figure in conservation circles, the Duke’s alignment with an organization embroiled in such serious allegations has sparked widespread censure.
Fiori Longo, leading Survival International’s conservation campaign, aptly summarized the prevailing sentiment, likening conservation zones to battlegrounds for indigenous populations.
Longo emphasized the paradoxical nature of organizations claiming to safeguard nature while overseeing the exploitation and devastation of the very communities that have safeguarded these ecosystems for centuries.