The Duke of Sussex travelled to Arizona last week.

Prince Harry was in Arizona last week (Image: Instagram/@thecoachdar)

Prince Harry recently attended an event for one of his charities that has been hit by a major scandal. The Duke of Sussex travelled to Scottsdale, Arizona, to attend the African Parks Conservation at Scale Event.

He was joined by Rob Walton, Chair of African Parks Foundation of America, Jordan Rose Walton, Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, Khaman Maluach and others. The Duke looked dapper in a navy suit, paired with a crisp white shirt and beamed as he posed with guests at the event.

African Parks is a conservation charity that aims to promote the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities in Africa.

The Duke of Sussex is a member of the Board of Directors of African Parks (Image: Instagram/@thecoachdar)

It manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20million hectares in Angola, Benin, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Harry was president of the charity from 2017 until 2023, when he became a member of the board of directors.

Earlier this year, African Parks launched their $1 billion Campaign for Conservation at Scale at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

However, the charity has been shrouded in controversy following various allegations of human rights abuses.

Baka tribespeople from Odzala-Kokoua National Park, managed by the African Parks, said its rangers abused them, which triggered an investigation.

Law firm Omnia Strategy reported its findings to the NGO, which confirmed in a statement that human rights abuses by guards had occurred.

A statement by African Parks read at the time: “African Parks acknowledges that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims.

“Omnia’s process also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us, particularly in the early years of our management of Odzala.

“We are committed to addressing the shortcomings that have been identified. Further, where sufficient evidence is available, we will take action against staff members implicated in incidents not yet known about, or that had not been adequately dealt with.

“The Board is confident that the institutional improvements implemented over the past five years, along with those planned for the coming months—incorporating valuable recommendations from Omnia—will mitigate risks in the future.”

The Duke of Sussex posed for photos (Image: Instagram/@chrisbaronsmith)

Following Harry’s attendance at the event last week, human rights group Survival International’s director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: “It is outrageous to see Harry’s continued support to African Parks despite the horrific human rights abuses committed by its rangers against the Baka — even after they were confirmed by the investigation it commissioned.

“It is deeply problematic to rely only on African Parks’ own justifications as they seek more support for the organisation. It sends the message that no matter how serious the human rights abuses are, and no matter how opaque the organisation, its funders and supporters, like Prince Harry, will continue to blindly support African Parks.”

The Duke of Sussex has been contacted for comment.

SOURCE: https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2210636/prince-harry-african-parks-event-pictures