Sierra Leone Lifts Ban on Koidu Diamond Mining

The government of Sierra Leone has ended the ban on mining at the Koidu Holdings diamond mine, where a number of people were killed during riots last December in clashes with police. Following the riots, the mine was closed and an inquiry commission was formed.

Last Wednesday the government said in a statement that it is immediately lifting the ban. According to reports in the local press, the order followed a meeting between Koidu’s owner Beni Steimentz and President Ernest Bai Koroma.

In March, the inquiry commission submitted its report to the president, without making its findings public. The 105-page report made 17 recommendations after the commission reportedly interviewed 42 witnesses, met with Koidu Community elders and collected evidence.

The December clashes were sparked by what the government dubbed at the time as “discontent” between the Koidu and area residents.

According to a report quoted by Associated Press, police went on a “trigger-happy free-for-all shooting spree,” adding that Koidu could have “shown a little bit of restraint and sensitivity toward the demonstrators.” The company was not found to be at fault, AP added.