Prince Harry is facing calls to resign from a conservation organization he helps run after an investigation by The Mail on Sunday uncovered allegations that the organization runs an armed militia involved in human rights crimes in Africa.
Survival International, which fights for the rights of indigenous peoples, has launched a campaign to persuade the prince and donors to cut ties with African Parks after some of his guards were beaten, raped and tortured.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before being promoted to the board last year.
The organization, which manages national parks in 12 African countries through government partnerships, has faced first-hand testimony that the Baka, an indigenous people, have faced disturbing intimidation.
It is alleged that they were prevented from entering forests where they had foraged for food, fished, hunted and found medicine for millennia.
Prince Harry was president of African Parks for six years until he moved to the board last year
African Parks rangers in Kokoua National Park have been accused of widespread rights abuses against the indigenous Baka people
Bernard Mingo (left) and Victor Mayanga said they were beaten and handcuffed by African Parks rangers in northern Republic of Congo
Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, said: “What the Mail on Sunday investigation has uncovered is horrific.” African Parks rangers are accused of brutalizing the Baka people and forcing theft of their rainforest. “
She said it was scandalous that such atrocities were being committed while tour companies flew wealthy tourists to the area for gorilla viewing safaris. Ms Pearce called on Harry to distance himself from the charity, which she said was involved in “vile abuse” of innocent people. “As someone who has taken a prominent stand against racism, the prince could help bring about real change for Indigenous people,” she said.
A spokesman for Prince Harry's foundation, Archewell, said: “When the Duke became aware of these serious allegations, he immediately forwarded them to the CEO and chairman of African Parks, the people responsible for next steps.”
The Baka live in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, which has been managed by African Parks since 2010 – when the company signed a 25-year contract with the government. The charity is funded by the EU, the US government and wealthy philanthropists, including a Swiss billionaire who is part of the consortium that owns Chelsea Football Club. It also received British aid to other areas of Africa.
Ms Pearce says other conservation organizations in Africa and Asia are causing similar suffering, deprivation and destruction of traditional communities.
Survival International wrote a letter to Prince Harry last May about “violent intimidation and torture,” including the rape of a young mother by a guard.
The man was fired, jailed and ordered to pay around £1,300 in compensation to his victim. She claims she only received around £500. Yesterday, African Parks said it has a “zero tolerance” policy towards any form of abuse and is “committed to upholding the rights of local and indigenous populations”.
It said it was “aware of the serious allegations” and had launched an investigation through an outside law firm after “becoming aware of these allegations last year through a board member who received a letter from Survival International.”
African Parks said: “We take allegations of human rights violations very seriously and always investigate such allegations thoroughly.”
The charity also accused Survival International of failing to cooperate with its investigations. The organization responded by saying it had been raising concerns since 2013.
Col. Theodore Golo, a former Army officer who was the region's top government official for nearly two years, said: “There are a lot of problems with the guards.”
He added: “Indigenous peoples are the best guardians of the forest and fauna.” They know everything about the forest. They do better than us and better than foreigners.'
The Mail on Sunday investigation highlights ongoing tensions between conservation groups and indigenous peoples in Africa and Asia. While indigenous people take care of the forests, organization-led armed militias fight to protect nature from miners, poachers and loggers.
“I was pushed under water and beaten”
One morning during a foraging and hunting trip, four friends agreed to part ways.
Two of them went into the rainforest in search of food, while the others stayed in their camp.
But shortly after they left, the hunters heard a gunshot and rushed back to find their friends in handcuffs and surrounded by six African Parks guards.
All four were then chained together and left there all day while they watched the guards devour the honey they had collected. Occasionally they were beaten or whipped with belts.
“That’s how we spent the night,” said Bernard Mingo. “Then, around 5 a.m., we were told it was time for our 'baptism.'” The prisoners were taken to a river and had their heads pushed into the water while armed guards whipped them with belts. “It seemed to take a long time,” Bernard said. “I was hit in the ear and couldn’t hear for about four days.”
Fellow victim Victor Mayanga said: “The pain lasted for many days.” “It felt like we were being treated like thieves in our own forest.”
Bernard said: “African parks can be so cruel to the Baka people.” Why should our people be denied access to the forest? It is the reason for our life. “After what happened, going into the forest feels impossible now.”