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A conservation group linked to Prince Harry and Chad’s government have agreed to sign a new partnership – less than two weeks after the central African country severed ties with the organisation.<\/p>\n
Chad had terminated its agreement with African Parks on 6 October, accusing it of failing to curb poaching.<\/p>\n
The two parties released a joint statement on Friday saying they have “initiated, in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation, a series of discussions relating to the delegated management of protected areas”.<\/p>\n
African Parks, which counts Prince Harry as a board member and former president, manages around 20 national parks and protected areas across 12 countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The new agreement will see African Parks once again manage Zakouma National Park and Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve in Chad, which it had managed for 15 years.<\/p>\n
African Parks would continue to finance and co-manage these protected areas, as well as pursuing the implementation of future projects until new agreements are signed.<\/p>\n
“This milestone comes at the close of a challenging period that required significant dialogue to reach mutual understanding and commitment on the way forward,” a statement from the conservation group read.<\/p>\n
Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, said the reinstatement “provides a stable foundation to continue safeguarding some of Chad’s most extraordinary natural and cultural landscapes, together with the communities who depend on them”.<\/p>\n
Chad’s government had accused<\/a> the organisation of failing to curb poaching, an arrogant and disrespectful attitude, and not co-operating fully with authorities.<\/p>\n The environment ministry had blamed the resurgence of poaching in its natural parks on a lack of investment by the charity.<\/p>\n Founded in 2000, the organisation aims to protect Africa’s national parks and advance conservation in the continent and around the world.<\/p>\n