Masisi raises voice against G7 in France

Masisi reacted to the G7's decision that all diamonds sold in G7 countries now need to be certified in Antwerp, Belgium, as part of sanctions on Russia. The President called this a wrong decision that is taking away Botswana and other diamond producers' capacity to be in control.

Botswana recently authored an official letter to the G7, protesting the unilateral decision to route all global diamonds through Antwerp, with Namibia and Angola signing the letter. Quizzed on why he wrote the letter, Masisi said they were offended by the decision. "We're offended by the decision because it's a wrong decision. They didn't take our opinion. It was also wrong because they didn't take into consideration our sovereignty as an independent state. It was a wrong decision because it was taking away our capacity to be in control even of our data of diamonds. It's a wrong decision because we are the producer countries. Why would we not be trusted? Why would we not be given an opportunity if there was any doubt to be an ode and place it in a country that does not produce diamonds,” he said.