A Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary, which took place last week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), saw members voting to lift a decade-long ban on rough diamond exports from the Central African Republic (CAR).
KP suspended diamond exports from the country in May 2013 after the Seleka fighters seized the capital Bangui in March of the same year, overthrowing President Francois Bozize.
Although the country was allowed to export diamonds from the so-called green zones, it had gone into the meeting calling for the complete lifting of the embargo.
CAR Mines and Geology Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou, who addressed the opening session of the KP plenary, said the security situation had improved in several parts of the country. At the same time, the minimum traceability requirements had been met.
The lifting of the trade embargo means CAR had been readmitted as a full member of the diamond watchdog—a victory for the UAE’s chairmanship under Dubai Multi Commodities Centre’s executive chairperson Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who had visited CAR and pushed extensively for KP to initiate a review mission to fast-track the country’s reintegration.
“When the UAE assumed the KP Chair, we committed to making 2024 a year of meaningful progress, not merely in words but through action,” said Sulayem.
“I am proud to say we have collectively honoured that commitment with several landmark achievements, including the inauguration of the permanent KP Secretariat in Botswana, the introduction of the proof of concept for the digitalisation of the KP certificate, the historic intersessional plenary in May, and, of course, the readmittance of the Central African Republic into the KP family. This last decision stands among our proudest achievements for the UAE’s Year of Delivery, bolstering our efforts to help nations where diamonds can serve as a force for stability, development, and empowerment.”
Benam-Beltoungou said he was pleased by the KP’s decision to fully lift the ban on CAR’s rough diamond exports and the country’s reintegration into the great family of the diamond watchdog.
”I extend the compliments of the Central African Republic to the honourable Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chair of the Kimberley Process, for his exemplary leadership, courage, and determination to uphold the integrity and credibility of the Kimberley Process,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UAE has agreed to chair the KP as custodian in 2025 and committed to a ‘Year of Best Practice’ that will deepen the achievements made in 2024 through refining processes, strengthening compliance mechanisms, and ensuring the diamond watchdog remains a model of collaboration and effectiveness in safeguarding the long-term future of the global diamond industry.
KP also admitted Uzbekistan for the first time as a body member, bringing the total number of KP members to 60.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough&Polished, from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
