Zimbabwe Diamonds Approved for Export by Kimberley Process

After months of contemplation, complications and negotiations, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, a UN backed organization established to eliminate the trade of conflict diamonds, has decided to allow Zimbabwe to export a controlled number of diamonds from controversial diamond mining fields. 

The decision was reached this Thursday, July 15^th, in St. Petersburg, Russia where the World Diamond Council, an international industry organization, and the Kimberley Process met to discuss the issues at hand. 

According to Zimbabwe mines minister, Obert Mpofu, the new agreement would allow Zimbabwe to sell some of the diamonds and resume full exports after a Kimberley Process review and investigation in the beginning of September.  Only after two official visits will the Kimberley Process approve the continuation of rough diamond sales from Zimbabwe.

It was back in November of 2009 that Kimberley Process officials suspended the sale of diamonds from diamond mines in Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields. This suspension came after evidence surgaced in 2008 that the state military had taken control of the fields. Reports of violence, diamond smuggling and human rights abuses in this area have been widespread, sparking human rights advocacy groups to raise their voices in protest.

This controversial decision has been reached at a time when many rights-groups and activists have been doubting the efficaciousness of the entire Kimberley Process all together.  In fact, only weeks ago, during an unsuccessful Kimberley Process meeting in Tel Aviv regarding Zimbabwe’s diamond exports, Martin Rapaport, founder of the global wholesale polished diamonds price list, the Rapaport Diamond Report, initiated a three-day fast, protesting the Kimberley Process.  Rapaport suggested that the Kimberley Process would be enabling the sale of blood diamonds by allowing Zimbabwe to continue its diamond trade.

According to reports, Minister Mpofu had previously threatened to export the diamonds without the Kimberley Process Certification. However, after the meeting in Russia, Mfopu seems more willing to work cooperatively. “Zimbabwe is ready and willing to work with the [Kimberley Process] because we know the value of cooperating with the organization”, Mr. Mpofu said after the decision was reached.

The deal has been reached in the same week that the Zimbabwe courts released activist human rights activist, Farai Maguwu, who had spent weeks in jail after submitting documents that implicated Zimbabwe’s government in violating legitimate mining practices and human rights in the Marange diamond fields. Many believe his release to have been part of the deal, despite the strict conditions of his release.