(IDEX Online News) – The overthrow of the president of the Central African Republic (CAR) and fears that rebel activity is being financed by conflict diamonds has once again proven the importance of the Kimberley Process (KP), said South Africa's Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu.

 

She made the comments to the KP's Intersessional Meeting in South Africa. Although more than 99 percent of all the diamonds traded around the world are conflict-free, the instability in the CAR showed that ongoing vigilance was needed to prevent illicit diamonds entering the diamond pipeline.

 

“Hence, our response to the prevailing situation in the Central African Republic, which serves as a valuable lesson and reminder of the primary objectives, which led to the establishment of the KP, is not completely dissipated and confirms the need to strengthen it.”

 

An attack on South African soldiers in the CAR on March 23 led to 13 being killed when they came under attack during a rebellion there. A transitional government has since been installed under the presidency of Michel Djotodia.

 

Shabangu praised the KP's work, saying it had resulted in consumer confidence being restored in diamonds.

 

Shabangu said South Africa, the KP Chair this year, hoped the KP would go on consolidate its achievements.

 

She said the KP's aim was to “redeem this rare and valuable commodity from being used as an instrument of maiming of innocent people”.

 

Shabangu also congratulated China for being elected the KP Chair for 2014, and its work as vice chair this year.