Prince Harry took part in an "outrageous" rallying call on behalf of his African Parks project when in New York, amid allegations its rangers raped and tortured tribespeople.
The Duke of Sussex has kept his role on the board of directors of African Parks, despite calls to resign from campaigners, during an investigation into the conduct of rangers who patrol areas of protected rainforest.
Baka tribespeople who rely on Odzala-Kokoua National Park, in the Congo, have alleged rape, violence and torture by rangers employed to prevent access to areas of the jungle where they have traditionally hunted and foraged for food.
The scandal became public in January when Survival International called on Prince Harry to resign, and an investigation has been ongoing.
The human rights group, which campaigns on behalf of indigenous people, renewed the call to resign in light of a meeting Harry held in New York, on Monday, September 23, described on his website as a "rallying call" to join the NGO's "vital mission."
Fiore Longo, campaign director at Survival International, told Newsweek: "It is quite outrageous I have to say. The thing that for us is shocking is that there is an investigation taking place so before even knowing the outcome of the investigation into the abuses that we have helped to expose, he has been celebrating what he called African Parks' impactful and vital mission.
"I think it's really shocking that he hasn't awaited the result of the investigation before actually celebrating the model of conservation because he doesn't know what really happened.
"The fact he hasn't awaited the result is really quite shocking and it seems that he doesn't really understand the need to question African Parks' mission and fortress conservation approach."
By contrast, donors to African Parks have said they will wait to see the outcome before deciding the future of their relationship with the organization, Longo said.
Survival described the wildlife nonprofit's model as "fortress conservation" because they seek to protect areas of rainforest by using armed rangers to keep people out.
However, Survival says indigenous tribes of hunter-gatherers are rebranded as poachers simply for hunting their dinner in the same way they have for centuries while rich tourists can pay up to $12k to stay in eco-lodges.
Tribes people have alleged abuse when they continued to try to hunt and forage according to their culture and history, some of which was raised with Prince Harry in a letter Survival sent to him in May 2023.
Seen by Newsweek, it recounted accusations of rangers "raping an Indigenous woman while she was holding her two-month-old baby; and raping a 18-year old Baka boy."
A spokesperson for African Parks told Newsweek: "The investigation is still ongoing and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation. We will not be making further comment until it has been concluded."
Baka tribeswoman Ella Ene gave an interview to the Daily Mail earlier this year saying a guard came to her house and ordered her into the forest late at night threatening: "I'll shoot you."
"I was holding my baby while being raped and trying to protect him," she said. "My first reaction had been to protect my baby. It was very violent."
Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation described his contribution to the New York event on its website: "The Duke connected African Parks' mission to his broader philanthropic vision, highlighting how their strategic approach aligns with his goals for sustainable change.
"He emphasized the importance of collaboration and investment in conservation efforts, noting that protecting Africa's natural resources is essential for both the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.
"The event served not only as a celebration of African Parks' impactful work across 22 protected areas in 12 countries but also as a rallying call to join this vital mission. The Duke's participation underscored the urgency of the conservation challenges facing the continent and the need for collective action."
If those who fund the organization did decide to pull money out at the end of the internal probe, then Harry's decision to maintain support could be damaging to him, Longo said.
"It's nothing to do with a personal battle against Prince Harry," Longo continued. "This is about the model of fortress conservation. This is about an updated racist, colonial model of conservation."
Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation said in a statement in January, when the allegations first became public: "When the Duke became aware of these serious allegations, he immediately escalated them to the CEO and chairman of the board of African Parks, the appropriate people to handle next steps."
"This is not conservation—it's colonialism," Survival International wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "The recent event promoted by Prince Harry and the conservation organization @AfricanParks during New York Climate Week is deeply troubling.
"While they celebrate 'conservation' in New York, Indigenous people in African Parks' Protected Areas are suffering from violence caused by its rangers: people have been raped, abused, and tortured.
"The involvement of Prince Harry on African Parks' panel at New York Climate Week shows a disturbing lack of understanding about how serious the issues are with African Parks' harmful, colonial, and racist approach to conservation."
Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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