标签： Africa

In a significant turn of events, African Parks, a conservation organization with ties to Prince Harry, has rekindled its partnership with the government of Chad, just days after the central African nation severed ties with the group. The initial termination on October 6 was prompted by allegations of African Parks’ failure to effectively combat poaching and accusations of an arrogant and uncooperative attitude. However, in a joint statement released on Friday, both parties announced the resumption of their collaboration, emphasizing a renewed spirit of dialogue and cooperation. The agreement reinstates African Parks’ management of Zakouma National Park and the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, both of which the organization had overseen for 15 years prior to the recent fallout. Under the new terms, African Parks will continue to finance and co-manage these protected areas while pursuing future conservation projects. Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, hailed the reinstatement as a ‘stable foundation’ for safeguarding Chad’s natural and cultural heritage, alongside the communities that depend on them. The reconciliation follows a challenging period marked by intense negotiations and mutual efforts to address past grievances. Earlier this year, African Parks faced criticism for alleged abuses by its employees in a park in the Republic of Congo, though the organization declined to release an independent report on the matter. Founded in 2000, African Parks remains committed to protecting Africa’s national parks and advancing global conservation efforts.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan’s North Darfur region has reached a critical juncture, with the embattled capital of el-Fasher becoming a focal point of violence. According to Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the fighting has tripled the number of displaced people in Tawila, a town 60 kilometers away, and reduced el-Fasher’s population by 62% this year alone. Daniels emphasized that Sudan is now the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 12 million people displaced and 24 million facing acute food insecurity. The conflict, which began in 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese military, has claimed at least 40,000 lives and devastated infrastructure, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan. El-Fasher, the military’s last stronghold in Darfur, has seen intensified attacks, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The collapse of health care systems has led to rampant diseases like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, with over 113,000 cholera cases and 3,000 deaths recorded since July 2024. Despite efforts to distribute mosquito nets and restore health services, access to essential aid remains severely restricted due to ongoing violence and attacks on aid convoys. Daniels and Sudan’s Health Minister Haitham Ibrahim have called for increased international support and a ceasefire to address the dire situation. Daniels stressed that peace is essential to provide assistance to those in need, as humanitarian funding remains critically low, with only 26% of Sudan’s overall response plan funded.