Masisi should speak for KPs reform

Mmegi Editor | Monday June 27, 2022 06:00

On the other hand, President Mokgweetsi Masisi is set to embark on a trip to Europe to canvass support for Botswana’s bid to host the KP Secretariat.

While it will be a good thing for Botswana to win the bid to have the KP Secretariat on our shores, there is need to recognise and admit that the organisation is slowly losing its relevance.

As admitted by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Lefoko Moagi, KP’s shortcomings need to be dealt with candidly, and for that to happen, Botswana should be at the forefront of the campaign to reform the organisation.

When KP was established, it was a commitment by participating states to remove conflict diamonds from the global supply chain. The core of this regime is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) under which States implement safeguards on shipments of rough diamonds and certify them as “conflict free”.

However, there is need to relook the whole process and formulate a reform agenda of the organisation to be in sync with evolving times whilst maintaining the original mandate of this entity. Firstly, is the issue of consensus, which has become a predicament to the organisation.

Imagine the Kasane meeting could not discuss the Russia issue simply because there was no consensus from all the participating members. The consensus process, which is decision-making tool for KP is subject to abuse from any other state that may not want a certain decision taken.

This is simply an out-dated process, and needs to be scrapped

When KP began in 2003, the definition as to what constituted conflict diamonds is, was mainly looking in the direction of such stones being used to fund rebels, terrorism and other non-state actors. Therefore, this calls for the need to re-look the whole question of what defines conflict diamonds, especially given the example of what is currently happening in Russia.

There are now interstate conflicts, the Russian invasion of Ukraine being an example, which in part is sustained by the sale of diamonds. There is need to change and broaden the definition to also look at the Russia situation.

Therefore, President Masisi should not shy away from speaking for these reforms because they will enhance the relevance of the organisation in the long term.

If his campaign to get the KP secretariat is to have any meaningful significance, Masisi must be bold and also talk about issues that matter.

Today's thought

“A diamond may be forever, but terrorism, promiscuously funded, will be too.”

– Bill Maher