Botswana emerges as preferred host for KP secretariat

Mbongeni Mguni | Friday November 4, 2022 11:05

Globally competitive: Botswana’s nomination as the host of the Kimberley Process Secretariat would cement the country’s position as the centre of the global diamond industry

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, known informally as the KP, wraps up its plenary in Gaborone today (Friday) with delegates due to vote on confirming Botswana as the host of the secretariat.

On Wednesday, BusinessWeek established that a technical team of the 85-member state KP had selected Botswana as a unanimous recommendation after an extensive process over the years in which the five bidders were whittled down to two and eventually one.

“The others have withdrawn after a long and transparent procedure,” a highly authoritative insider said on Wednesday. “The plenary is supposed to accept the recommendation in the communique at the end. “Usually that will be scrutinised line by line. “But you know the opera is not over till the fat lady sings.”

Before the plenary, BusinessWeek was informed that China still had its hat in the race, meaning Botswana’s hopes were likely to be dashed via the KP’s consensus rule. Under the rule, even a single objection from any member can veto any decision, a system critics within the organisation say has paralysed its ability to reform over the years and tackle emerging issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

While the voting was due to take place today (Friday), prior support for Botswana had already emerged from South Africa and Namibia. In March, President Mokgweetsi Masisi also lobbied the European Union for its support, stating that while other bidders were not diamond producers, Botswana relied entirely on the precious stones for its existence.

The United States last November said it 'commended' Botswana for its willingness to host the secretariat.

In June, Minerals and Energy minister, Lefoko Moagi told BusinessWeek that by hosting the secretariat, Botswana would highlight to the world the transformational benefits that occur when diamonds are used properly.

“We want to host the secretariat to demonstrate that diamonds are for development,” he said. “Therefore, we need to be speaking with one voice to the whole world.”

Moagi’s South African counterpart, Gwede Mantashe, told BusinessWeek that hosting the secretariat in Botswana would rightfully centre the global diamond industry in a region with the most producers.

“We are the biggest producer of diamonds in the world and therefore we need to play our role and take our space where it is necessary,” he said.

Botswana is chairing the Kimberley Process for this year and is scheduled to hand over to Zimbabwe in 2023.