WDC Warns of Zimbabwe Suspension, Calls for Changes to KP

The World Diamond Council (WDC), the body representing the diamond industry in the Kimberley Process (KP), expressed its concern that the diamond monitoring body has lost some of its effectiveness and called for it to make changes in the way the KP is managed. The call comes against the backdrop of the turmoil surrounding calls to suspend Zimbabwe from the KP.

Diggers at the Marange diamond fields, where the Zimbabwe army is accused of killing hundreds of people, prompting an international outcry

The WDC called for decisive action from government participants in the KP to ensure that “issues surrounding the Marange alluvial diamond fields in Zimbabwe are properly resolved.” An interim report by a recent review mission to the African country made a number of recommendations that, if adopted, would bring the mines into full compliance with the KP requirements.

WDC did not disclose what those recommendations are. According to reports, they include the suspension of Zimbabwe from KP. The debate was further fueled by a statement by the Chairman of KP, Namibian Mining Minister Bernhard Esau, that dismissed the threat of suspension - without holding any internal KP discussions.

The WDC warns that if Zimbabwe will not demilitarize the Marange diamond fields, it will recommend suspending the country from KP.

In the past few years criticism of the KP has grown, and focused mainly on its inability to successfully halt trade by renegade countries such as Venezuela, or investigate odd rough diamond trade and take appropriate action, as with Lebanon.

Voiced mostly by NGOs, an echo of these complaints can be heard by WDC President and CEO Eli Izhakoff who said he is very frustrated by the pace of things at KP. One obstacle is the unanimous vote requirement, which prevents decisions being made. “Changing from consensus to a majority vote, something like a two thirds majority,” would untangle some of the problems tying down KP, Izhakoff told IDEX Online.

The KP has a new chair person every year, until now always a government official, often a person with little or no knowledge of the diamond industry. Worse, the lack of continuous management prevents the passage of knowledge and hinders effective management. To address this, Izhakoff suggests the appointment of an executive director or secretariat. Such a post “will accommodate and help annually as a new chairman comes in.”

“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,” Izhakoff concluded.