Cases / Killings and repression of defenders · Republic of Congo · 2010–2025
African Parks Odzala-Kokoua abuses (Republic of Congo)
Nature's voice · report
No measurement of the harm done to me here is on record.
Did nature suffer? Not measured.
African Parks, which has managed Odzala-Kokoua National Park since 2010, said in May 2025 that human rights abuses occurred in some incidents after an investigation of 21 incidents. It did not publish the report.
21Incidents investigated in the park, 2010–2024
Incidents covered by the Omnia Strategy investigation: physical and sexual violence including rape, torture, "unlawful killing" and arbitrary detention. The report has not been published.
Incidents covered by the Omnia Strategy investigation: physical and sexual violence including rape, torture, "unlawful killing" and arbitrary detention. The report has not been published.
Status As of September 2026: African Parks has acknowledged abuses in some incidents (May 2025) and has not published the Omnia Strategy report; no prosecutions or penalties are on record.
What?
After allegations raised in 2023, African Parks commissioned an investigation of 21 incidents in Odzala-Kokoua National Park (2010–2024). In May 2025 it acknowledged that human rights abuses occurred in some incidents and did not publish the report. Mongabay
Where?
Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo; about 54 villages around the park. University of Arizona, indigenous peoples and protected areas database
When?
Incidents covered 2010 to 2024; Survival's warning June 2023; press reports January 2024; acknowledgement May 2025. Mongabay
Who?
Gained
- African Parks — Continues to manage the park under a 25-year agreement running from 2010 University of Arizona, indigenous peoples and protected areas database
- Funders and partners including the EU, the Legacy Landscapes Fund, the Rob Walton Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service — Named as funders of the park
Lost
- A Baka woman — Court-ordered compensation of £1,300 reported unpaid Mongabay
Harmed
- Baka people — Reported to have been beaten, raped and tortured; 21 incidents investigated Mongabay
Why?
The sources reviewed do not state the causes; African Parks cited "several failures of our systems and processes". Mongabay
How?
Allegations went from Survival International to African Parks, then to the press; African Parks engaged Omnia Strategy; it published a response but not the report. Mongabay
6 of 6 questions answered from the record
What happened
The record, in order.
African Parks has managed Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo since 2010 under a 25-year agreement, through the Odzala-Kokoua-Lossi Foundation. About 10,000 people live in 54 villages around the park, among them the Baka and Kola peoples. Its funders include the EU (€6 million for 2018–2023, 46% of the park budget in 2020), the Legacy Landscapes Fund (US$1 million a year for at least 15 years), the Rob Walton Foundation (a US$4.6 million results-based grant measured in "Verifiable Nature Units"), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (2024) and Stichting Natura Africae.
Survival International wrote to African Parks in June 2023. In January 2024 the Mail on Sunday and Tagesschau reported beatings, rape and torture of Baka people, including one waterboarding case. African Parks engaged Omnia Strategy, a London law firm, in December 2023. The investigation lasted 16 months, covered 2010 to 2024, and heard about 180 stakeholders over four field trips. Its team included barristers from Doughty Street Chambers and was overseen by Cherie Blair. It investigated 21 incidents: physical and sexual violence including rape, torture, "unlawful killing" and arbitrary detention.
In May 2025 African Parks said that "in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering", citing "several failures of our systems and processes". It announced an independent oversight panel and promised action against responsible staff. It did not publish the full report. According to Survival International, the report was not given to funders including the EU. No prosecutions have been reported.
Reported allegations include that, in July 2019, three men from Ignoli village were held for two days without food or water and tortured at the Lango base, and, as Mongabay reported, that a Baka woman had not received £1,300 in compensation ordered by a court.
In September 2023 the World Heritage Committee unanimously inscribed the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua (11,794 km², decision 45 COM 8B.1). IUCN had recommended deferral in 2022 because of gold-exploration permits inside the park; the Congolese authorities reported that the permits were cancelled. The inscription came three months after Survival's written warning to African Parks.
- 2010African Parks begins managing Odzala-Kokoua under a 25-year agreement
- 2019July: alleged detention and torture of three men from Ignoli village at the Lango base
- 2021Rob and Melani Walton Foundation gives US$100m to African Parks (US$75m to the endowment)
- 2022IUCN recommends deferral of the World Heritage listing over gold-exploration permits
- 2023June: Survival International writes to African Parks; September: park inscribed on the World Heritage List; December: Omnia Strategy engaged
- 2024January: Mail on Sunday and Tagesschau report abuses against Baka people; US Fish and Wildlife Service funding
- 2025May: African Parks acknowledges abuses in some incidents; Omnia report withheld; oversight panel announced
What was said
Claims, in the words of those who made them.
“in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering”
“several failures of our systems and processes”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Did abuses by park staff occur, and what did the investigation find?
Communities and civil society
Survival International
Wrote to African Parks in June 2023 with the allegations.
MongabayPress and investigations
Mail on Sunday and Tagesschau
Reported in January 2024 beatings, rape and torture of Baka people, including one waterboarding case.
MongabayCommunities and civil society
Survival International
The Omnia report was not given to funders including the EU.
Company or project
African Parks
"in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering"; did not publish the full report.
MongabayCompany or project
Omnia Strategy
Investigated 21 incidents over 16 months and about 180 stakeholders; its public statement does not address the findings.
Omnia Strategy (published on the African Parks website)How it looked
What was shown, beside what was recorded.
Shown
- Delegated management of national parks presented as a public-private partnership.African Parks and its donors
- A study of 127 partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa (PNAS, 2024) found average deforestation 55% lower in areas managed this way, and up to 66% lower in the most pressured areas; a second PNAS study (2024) of parks taken over by African Parks found less elephant poaching and more tourism.PNAS studies, cited as evidence for the model
Recorded
- Omnia Strategy investigated 21 incidents covering 2010 to 2024, heard about 180 stakeholders, and its public statement does not address the findings.
- African Parks acknowledged in May 2025 that human rights abuses occurred in some incidents and withheld the full report.
- No prosecutions reported; no compensation scheme or insurance documented; one woman's court-ordered £1,300 compensation reported unpaid.
- The Rob and Melani Walton Foundation gave US$100m to African Parks in 2021; US$75m went to the permanent endowment and part was set aside for a Legacy Landscapes Fund match for Odzala-Kokoua and Iona.
- The PNAS study of African Parks also found that, in conflict zones, armed groups were more likely to target civilians; the effect on local economic development was inconclusive.
Who gained
Money that reached nature, beside money that stayed elsewhere.
Reached nature or the ground
Not published
No figure published.
Gained elsewhere
Not totalled
Currency: EUR · Window: 2018–2023. All figures cover the same period. * Estimate built from cited figures.
Responses on record
- African Parks (May 2025): "in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering"; cited "several failures of our systems and processes"; announced an independent oversight panel; did not publish the full report. · Mongabay
- Omnia Strategy (May 2025): Published a public statement describing the scope of its investigation: 16 months, 2010 to 2024, about 180 stakeholders, 21 incidents. The statement does not address the findings. · Omnia Strategy (published on the African Parks website)
- Government of the Republic of Congo (2023): Reported to the World Heritage Committee that gold-exploration permits inside the park had been cancelled. · Natural World Heritage Sites (summary site)
In court and with insurers
Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.
Lawsuits and rulings
- Claimant won£1.3bn court-ordered compensation, reported unpaidCourt-ordered compensation to a Baka woman (reported unpaid)Court (not identified in the sources reviewed) · Civil · A Baka woman → Not stated in the sources reviewed
Mongabay reported that a Baka woman had not received the £1,300 in compensation ordered by a court. Mongabay
Insurers
No insurer decision on record.
What nature saw
Outcomes measured on the ground, and nature's note.
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
Deforestation in delegated-management areas
55% lower on average
PNAS 2024, 127 partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa; not specific to Odzala-Kokoua
Elephant poaching in African Parks parks
Reduced
PNAS 2024; park-level results for Odzala-Kokoua not given in the sources reviewed
Gold-exploration permits inside the park
Cancelled, per Congo
IUCN recommended deferral in 2022; the Committee inscribed the site in September 2023 after Congo reported cancelling the permits
What we don't know
Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Accounts
- Disputed Did abuses by park staff occur, and what did the investigation find?
Record
- None on record The Omnia Strategy report has not been published: which allegations were upheld, who was dismissed and whether compensation was paid is not known.
- None on record No penalty or compensation amount is on record, and no prosecutions have been reported.
- None on record No compensation scheme or insurance cover for the reported abuses is documented in the sources reviewed.
- None on record The researchers in the PNAS study noted that whether the gains benefit the surrounding population has not yet been studied.
- Insufficient Reported but not independently verified: that the report was not given to funders including the EU (Survival International's account).
- None on record The Omnia Strategy public statement does not address the findings.
Did the harm stop?
The sources reviewed do not record whether the reported abuses have stopped. African Parks announced an independent oversight panel in May 2025.
Who paid?
The sources reviewed record no compensation scheme and no penalty. One woman's court-ordered £1,300 compensation is reported unpaid. The organisation continues to manage the park.
Sources
Voices on record: ✓ Company or project— Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations— Communities and civil society✓ Researchers✓ Standard-setters and registries
Company or project
- Omnia Strategy public statement, May 2025Omnia Strategy (published on the African Parks website) · 2025-05
Press and investigations
- African Parks acknowledges abuse by park staff in Congo but withholds full reportMongabay · 2025-05-13
- African Parks funding: Rob and Melani Walton Foundation gift of US$100mMongabay · 2021-09-16
Researchers
- Odzala-Kokoua National ParkUniversity of Arizona, indigenous peoples and protected areas database ·
Standard-setters and registries
- Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua (World Heritage summary)Natural World Heritage Sites (summary site) · 2023-09
Connected cases
Related matters, and cases linked to this one through the same organisations, with the role each played in both.
- UNESCO World Heritage listings and Indigenous rights Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda · 1991–2025
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Manager of Odzala-Kokoua under a 25-year agreement since 2010; there: Manager of Odzala-Kokoua
- Survival International (NGO) — here: Raised the allegations with African Parks in June 2023; there: Issued written warning to African Parks (June 2023)
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Technical evaluator for natural sites
- UNESCO World Heritage Committee (International organisation) — here: Inscribed the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua in September 2023; there: Decision-maker on listings (World Heritage Committee)
- Half-Earth and 30x30 advocacy funding (Wyss Campaign for Nature) Global · 2016–2026
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Manager of Odzala-Kokoua under a 25-year agreement since 2010; there: Recipient of Wyss Foundation commitments
- Legacy Landscapes Fund (NGO) — here: Funder (US$1m a year for at least 15 years); there: Fund receiving US$100 million each from Germany, the Wyss and Walton foundations (September 2026)
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Co-author of the Protected Planet Report 2024
- CAMPFIRE and elephant trophy hunting Zimbabwe · 2010–2015
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (Government agency) — here: Funder (2024); there: Trophy-import regulator
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Policy guidance
- Colossal Biosciences: de-extinction ventures, funding and the Burgum remark United States · 2022–2026
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (Government agency) — here: Funder (2024); there: Signed a memorandum of understanding with Colossal; co-author of the July 2026 harm-definition rule
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Its Canid Specialist Group stated the pups are not dire wolves
- Messok Dja ecoguard abuses (Republic of Congo) Republic of Congo · 2008–2020
- Survival International (NGO) — here: Raised the allegations with African Parks in June 2023; there: NGO; reported the draft findings
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Funder; suspended about €1 million in 2020
- Black-footed ferret cloning (Antonia) and wild plague United States · 1988–2024
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (Government agency) — here: Funder (2024); there: Federal agency; project partner
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- African Parks (NGO) — here: Manager of Odzala-Kokoua under a 25-year agreement since 2010; there: Organisation whose management authority was revoked
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- EU bans offset-based neutrality claims from 27 September 2026 European Union · 2024–2026
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- EU court rejects Austria's challenge to green label for gas and nuclear European Union · 2022–2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: set the taxonomy rules
- EU Deforestation Regulation delays and trade pressure European Union · 2022
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Regulator
- EU mirror measure on antimicrobials and Brazil beef exclusion Brazil · 2019–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Regulator that adopted the measure and decided the list
- EU narrows supply-chain law and delays deforestation rule twice European Union · 2024–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Adopted the narrowed directive and postponed the EUDR
- EU seal-product ban's Inuit exemption found ineffective Canada · 2014
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Seal-product ban with an Inuit exemption
- Great Barrier Reef 'in danger' listing delayed Australia · 2021–2025
- UNESCO World Heritage Committee (International organisation) — here: Inscribed the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua in September 2023; there: Body that postponed the listing decision
- Halmahera nickel complex (IWIP, Weda Bay) and the Hongana Manyawa Indonesia · 2018–2026
- Survival International (NGO) — here: Raised the allegations with African Parks in June 2023; there: Source of Hongana Manyawa figures
- Jadar lithium project Serbia · 2022–2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Defendant in the strategic-status case (European Commission)
- Kaeng Krachan: Karen evictions and the disappearance of Billy Thailand · 1981–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Recommended against listing until Karen concerns were addressed
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- Survival International (NGO) — here: Raised the allegations with African Parks in June 2023; there: Reported the shooting of a 17-year-old Batwa
- Kaziranga shoot-on-sight killings (India) India · 2013–2017
- Survival International (NGO) — here: Raised the allegations with African Parks in June 2023; there: Source of the 106-in-20-years figure (not verified)
- Kenyan forest guards shoot dead Sengwer herder Robert Kirotich during evictions Kenya · 2018–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: donor; suspended support for the WaTER programme
- Kenyan water-tower forest evictions followed a 2018 killing by forest guards Kenya · 2016–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: funder of the WaTER programme
- Kiribati opens Phoenix Islands protected area to fishing; trust dissolved Kiribati · 2015–2021
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- Kiribati PIPA opened to fishing Kiribati · 2015–2025
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Assessed the property (World Heritage Outlook)
- Morocco says it cut cadmium in phosphate fertilisers; EU cannot verify the claim Morocco · 2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: acknowledges it cannot verify Morocco's claim
- Nonylphenol ethoxylates: Swiss ban and EU restriction Switzerland · 1984–2014
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- Northern Kenya Grasslands Carbon Project and the Isiolo court ruling Kenya · 2012–2026
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- Pacific tuna Vessel Day Scheme Pacific Islands (PNA members) · 2010–2025
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- Plastic waste imports into Türkiye (Adana) Türkiye · 2016–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Assessed Türkiye under Article 45(5) of the Waste Shipment Regulation
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- Prestige Spain · 2002–2026
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- Removal of the Endangered Species Act 'harm' definition United States · 2025–2026
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (Government agency) — here: Funder (2024); there: Agency that removed the definition from its regulations
- Rio Tinto Juukan Gorge destruction Australia · 2020
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Conservation body in a Collaboration Agreement with Rio Tinto (2010)
- Sengwer evictions from Embobut forest and the EU Water Towers programme (Kenya) Kenya · 2014–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Funder of the WaTER programme
- Starbase launch site, Boca Chica, Texas: environmental review, penalties and Starship debris United States · 2022–2025
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (Government agency) — here: Funder (2024); there: Federal wildlife agency; reported the fire after the first flight
- TotalEnergies Batéké acacia carbon project (Congo) Republic of Congo · 2020–2025
- Government of the Republic of Congo (Government) — here: Party to the 25-year agreement; the state keeps land ownership under delegated management; there: Declared the land state property and leased it for 60 years
- Trade rules curb green industrial policy; WTO rules against Indonesia nickel ban Global · 2013–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Complainant in the Indonesia nickel case; respondent in the palm oil and CBAM disputes
- US bans DDT in 1972; bald eagle breeding pairs rebound United States · 1972–2019
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (Government agency) — here: Funder (2024); there: published bald eagle population data
- US withdrawal from 66 international bodies and Paris/UNFCCC United States · 2025–2027
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Body the US withdrew from
- Uzbek cotton boycott ends forced labour Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Trade partner (trade preference)
- Walton family grants and board ties link Conservation International to Walmart United States · 2001–2026
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Manager of Odzala-Kokoua under a 25-year agreement since 2010; there: Park manager at Odzala-Kokoua; subject of the investigation
- Whale oil, kerosene and the 1986 whaling moratorium International · 1859–2022
- IUCN (International organisation) — here: Recommended deferral of World Heritage listing in 2022; there: Assessed the humpback whale (2008)
- World Bank and development bank accountability mechanisms: Embobut (Sengwer), Tata Mundra, Arun III, Jale, Cambodia Kenya · 2007–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Funder of the WaTER programme
- WTO panel backs EU on palm biofuel rules in Malaysia case Global · 2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Respondent; set the renewable-status rules
- WTO panel found Indonesia's raw nickel export ban breached rules Indonesia · 2020–2022
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder (€6m for 2018–2023; 46% of the park budget in 2020); there: Brought the complaint at the WTO
- WWF-supported ecoguards in Cameroon and CAR (Lobéké, Dzanga-Sangha) Cameroon · 2008–2020
- Survival International (NGO) — here: Raised the allegations with African Parks in June 2023; there: Filed OECD complaint against WWF (2016)