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Botswana, Angola focus on reviving diamond demand

IN TALKS: Kenewendo and Azevedo met on Friday in Gaborone. PIC: MINISTRY OF MINERALS FACEBOOK
IN TALKS: Kenewendo and Azevedo met on Friday in Gaborone. PIC: MINISTRY OF MINERALS FACEBOOK

The minerals ministers of Botswana and Angola met on Friday, pledging to redouble their efforts to resuscitate global demand for natural diamonds, in the spirit of partnership.

The two countries, which are the continent’s leading producers of diamonds, recently announced that they are both seeking majority stakes in De Beers, the diamond giant in which Anglo American is selling its 85% stake.

However, following a meeting in Gaborone, Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo and her Angolan counterpart, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, said they were “perfectly aligned” in their positions on the De Beers stake.

Editor's Comment
Use social media to build, not destro

It is a warning flare to every Motswana who logs onto social media. As a country, we have reached a point where the line between robust debate and outright destruction has become dangerously blurred. At face value, Mabeo’s response, which seeks an apology and threat of a defamation suit, might seem severe to some. But we cannot ignore the context. The comment in question did not offer a policy critique or question a political decision.It...

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