Prince Harry pleads ‘don’t pillage’ his African sanctuary for oil as he releases call to ‘stand with us’ against mining

PRINCE Harry has begged mining firms to stop "pillaging" his African "sanctuary" for oil as he called on the world to "stand with us".

The Duke of Sussex said the Okavango watershed in southern Africa is "at risk" due to "corporate oil drilling" in a rare op-ed for the Washington Post.

He said the area is a vital water source for nearby farmers and fisherman in Angola, Bolivia and Botswana - but stressed it could be in danger.

The Prince - who was just unveiled as an impact partner for “ethical” investment group Ethic - said he and Meghan "found sanctuary and inspiration in the Okavango".

Harry whisked the then future-Duchess of Sussex away to the Meno A Kwena safari camp in August 2017 in the heart of Botswana on one of their early dates.

Harry writes: "The Okavango River Basin is under siege by ReconAfrica, a Canadian oil and gas company that has been granted licenses for exploratory drilling in an  larger than some European countries. 

"We believe this would pillage the ecosystem for potential profit.

"Some things in life are best left undisturbed to carry out their purpose as a natural benefit. This is one of them.

"Drilling is an outdated gamble that reaps disastrous consequences for many, and incredible riches for a powerful few."

He stressed that the practise "represents a continued investment in fossil fuels instead of renewable energies".

Harry is the president of NGO African Parks.

The continent is a special place for the Duke of Sussex, as the young prince visited the continent only two months after his mother Princess Diana died.

SPECIAL PLACE

The Sussexes were this week hit with criticism over their choice to back New York-based investment firm Ethic.

Paperwork filed in the US shows it invested around £1.1million in chemical firm Corteva Inc.

This spin-off from scandal-hit firm DuPont, made infamous in 2019 movie Dark Waters, is being sued in California over use of a pesticide linked to brain damage in kids. Corteva insists it is safe.

Ethic has also invested in one of America’s largest crude oil producers and a firm accused of pricing UK patients out of a ­cystic fibrosis drug, filings show.

'SET UP FOR A FALL'

Royal author Penny Junor said: “Life is going to be very difficult for Meghan and Harry if they keep up this high profile. Ethical banking seems asking for trouble, setting themselves up for a fall.”

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, were announced on Tuesday as investors in Ethic, which has £950million under management.

The company, co-founded by former British private schoolboy Jay Lipman, 33, said it invites ­clients to create their own port­folios that reflect their “unique ­values and financial priorities”.

It claims to help investors screen companies on criteria like racial justice, climate change and workplace standards, such as gender equality and fair pay.