Civil society demands urgent Kimberley Process reform

Dirty stones: 
While Botswana epitomises the “diamonds for development” mantra, other parts of Africa suffer from conflict mining and humanitarian abuse. The KP Civil Society further wants the definition of conflict diamonds expanded when the global industry meets in Gaborone next month PIC: LYNSEY ADDARIO
Dirty stones: While Botswana epitomises the “diamonds for development” mantra, other parts of Africa suffer from conflict mining and humanitarian abuse. The KP Civil Society further wants the definition of conflict diamonds expanded when the global industry meets in Gaborone next month PIC: LYNSEY ADDARIO

COTE D’IVOIRE, Yamoussoukro – The KP Civil Society Coalition calls on the Kimberley Process to come to terms with the shortcomings of the certification scheme and to commit to serious reform.

A Plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) will be held in Botswana from November 1st to November 4th, 2022, amid growing concern about the scheme's ineptitude to address the ever-evolving forms of conflict in diamond-producing and trading nations.

As the KPCS celebrates its 20th anniversary next year (2023), most diamond mining communities in Africa and the people of Ukraine will be counting lost human lives, environmental damage, and human rights violations caused by diamond mines or by states whose budgets are heavily funded from diamond production and trade.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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