Mmegi

Kimberley Process reaches its sink or swim moment

Tough ask: KP delegates during their meeting in Kasane in 2022. Proposals for a debate on Russia and reforms were shot down through a veto PIC: KPCS COM
Tough ask: KP delegates during their meeting in Kasane in 2022. Proposals for a debate on Russia and reforms were shot down through a veto PIC: KPCS COM

The World Diamond Council issued its strongest warning yet that the anti-blood diamonds group, the Kimberley Process, desperately needs reform. As the 86 member states gather in Dubai, besides synthetics on their mind, survival is taking centre stage, writes MBONGENI MGUNI

Forget, for a moment, the argument that natural diamonds are dead. Botswana exported P28.5 billion worth of the stones in the first seven months of this year, compared to about P25 billion over the same period last year.

Now, that’s due to a number of interlinked and causal factors, but the numbers are the numbers.

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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