The World Diamond Council (WDC) says it will recommend suspending Zimbabwe from the Kimberley Process (KP) if the Marange diamond fields are not demilitarized.
“Elsewhere in southern Africa, diamonds are an engine for growth, employment, and prosperity,” said WDC chair Eli Izhakoff. “The World Diamond Council believes that, in addition to combating the scourge of conflict diamonds, the Kimberley Process has helped to safeguard these benefits that are shared and enjoyed by thousands of people in communities across the region.
“[However], for this success to continue, and for the sake of the KP’s integrity, it is essential that governments act now—and be seen to act—to provide the political will and resources necessary to assist the Zimbabwean government in restoring security for the people of Marange and re-establishing compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.”
The WDC says that if KP recommendations are not implemented in an acceptable timeline, it will not hesitate to call for Zimbabwe’s suspension from the scheme.
A KP team visited the African nation in July after human rights organizations accused the military of forced labour, torture, and beatings. According to Human Rights Watch, the military, which remains under the control of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, killed more than 200 people in a violent takeover of the diamond fields last December.
The KP team made several recommendations to address non-compliance and alleged abuses, which Zimbabwe Mines Minister Obert Mpofu said his government is working to address. So far, Zimbabwe has ignored calls to demilitarize the fields.
