Will the embargo on Central African diamonds finally be completely lifted? The Kimberley Process (KP), the regulatory body for the global diamond trade, is meeting from this Tuesday, November 12 in Dubai for its plenary assembly. Among the expected subjects: the embargo on Central African diamonds. This was set up during the military-political crisis of 2013. Their trade was particularly targeted in the financing of armed groups. Sanctions that have been partially lifted over the years, but which the authorities hope to see definitively lifted.
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“ This sanction no longer applies », declared the Minister of Mines in a communication in September during a mission to review the Kimberley process. This went for the first time since 2015 to several mining towns in the country and in particular to the red zone in Bria in the east of the country. City nicknamed the “glittering” and historically a major producer of gems.
The authorities believe that the return to constitutional order and “ total control of the territory » should allow the total lifting of restrictions. Last July, however, an independent United Nations expert noted the persistence of attacks by armed groups in “ certain areas, notably mining and border areas “.
In 2015, a partial lifting of the embargo allowed the resumption of exports of rough diamonds from eight zones located in the west of the country, out of the 24 listed. In 2019, relief from export procedures was also granted.
Last year, the Central African Republic exported nearly 110,000 carats of rough diamonds with an estimated value of $12 million. However, before the crisis, diamonds represented nearly 40% of the country’s export revenue. The complete lifting of the embargo would be a boon for state finances.
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