The World Federation of Diamond Bourses has called on members of the Kimberley Process to take the “essential and courageous decision” to allow Zimbabwe to export its rough diamonds including those from Marange because the KP’s indecision is about to cause irreparable damage to the industry.
WFDB President Avi Paz said: “The Kimberley Process, due to the deadlock in its decision-making process and its experts’ ensuing indecision to allow rough diamond exports from Zimbabwe to resume, is about to cause irreparable damage throughout the entire to supply pipeline of our industry and trade, and threatens the livelihood of literally millions of people throughout the international diamond and jewellery sector.”
Zimbabwe has been barred from selling its diamonds from Marange openly because of alleged human rights violations. The KP plenary in Jerusalem last year failed to reach an agreement but later the KP allowed Zimbabwe to sell the Marange under certain conditions.
Zimbabwe, however, rejected the offer saying it will not accept any preconditions to sell the Marange diamonds because the mines meet KP guidelines.
African diamond producers have backed Zimbabwe in its quest and have accused some western countries of barring Zimbabwe from selling its diamonds to protect their own interests.
Zimbabwe has vast diamond reserves which will make it a major player in the industry. Diamonds from Marange alone if exploited could create 250 000 jobs in Surat, India, the world’s leading diamonds polishing centre.
Paz said by perpetuating the current impasse in its decision making, the Kimberley Process bears direct responsibility, not only for the reputational damage done to the diamond and jewellery sector, but also for a significant part of the economic hardship that continues to befall the people of Zimbabwe.
“While the diamond industry and trade is in a position to contribute to the betterment of many Zimbabwean citizens, the inaction of the Kimberley Process, its members and its experts is now the major stumbling block toward real progress,” he said.
“In addition, if the Kimberley Process remains indecisive on Zimbabwe, there is a real danger that the relevance of the Kimberley Process itself will be at stake.”
Paz, however, instructed all members of the WFDB to continue to follow the Kimberley Process and the WFDB’s clear directives not to trade in rough diamonds without the proper certification.
“The Kimberley Process members and experts need to come and face reality and resolve the Zimbabwe issue once and for all. I urge them to do so soonest,” he said.
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