KP Chair Issues Côte d'Ivoire Warning

(IDEX Online News) - Kimberley Process Chair Mathieu Yamba is warning that rough diamonds are sipping out of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Rebel forces hold the Northern part of the country, rich with diamonds, and the country’s diamond exports are therefore banned by UN sanctions.

"The situation in Côte d'Ivoire which is a cause for concern for the Kimberley Process in consideration of the risk of re-emergence of conflict diamonds in Côte d'Ivoire and an increase in rough diamond smuggling throughout West Africa," Yamba warned in a letter dated February 15.

“Previous KP and UN monitoring reports indicate that diamond mining in Côte d'Ivoire continues unabated and notes that diamonds may be leaving Côte d'Ivoire through the neighboring countries in violation of UNSC sanctions and KPCS restrictions,” Yamba added.

Yamba called on KP members, particularly those in West Africa and the global trading centers, to ensure that the UN sanctions are upheld. He also called on international bodies to share information that can assist KP.

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) distributed the letter to all of its 29 members, asking its affiliated bourses to advise their members of the KP letter and assure that its contents are posted - accompanied by a translation in the various local languages - on the bourses' notice boards and websites.

WFDB President Avi Paz proposed that the bourses prepare presentations on the KPCS and the absolute ban on conflict diamonds as expressed in the rules and regulation of the WFDB.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is that each individual diamantaire who holds bourse membership is completely up to speed as to the requirements, rules and regulations concerning the ban on trading in diamonds originating in areas and regions of conflict," Paz stated.