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Uphold ban on CAR diamonds, KP told

25 november 2013

The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition said the diamond watchdog body should uphold its ban on the Central African Republic (CAR) diamonds.
The coalition coordinator Shamiso Mtisi said diamond zones in the east and west of the CAR remained unstable and outside official control.
“We note the effort laid out in the proposed work plan sent by the Kimberley Process to the CAR, but believe it is premature until the country (and the diamond zones) are stabilized. As a result the embargo must remain in place,” he was quoted as saying by Business Report.
KP banned CAR diamonds last May after rebels seized control of the nation from former president François Bozizé in March.
Mtisi said the idea that multimillion-dollar diamond deals were being transacted in briefcases of money was hardly an image that reflects well on KP as a regulatory body, nor on the character of jurisdictions that allow it.
“It was an opportune time for South Africa to show leadership, to present an African perspective of how the Kimberley Process could be steered into a new era and to enhance our collective relevance and credibility,” Mtisi noted.
“We regret that nothing has come of this.”

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished