KP Chair: No Trade of Marange Diamonds Can Currently Take Place

KP Chair Boaz Hirsch

(IDEX Online News) - “The Plenary did not come to an agreement regarding KPCS arrangement for diamonds from the Marange area,” said Kimberley Process Chair Boaz Hirsch in a first official reaction to the unauthorized KP certification of Zimbabwe’s goods.

Hirsch said that consultations are ongoing and that Zimbabwe made progress in terms of compliance with KP requirements, “offering sufficient reassurance that there would continue to be progress in all areas under the Joint Work Plan.”

He stressed that it is of utmost importance that all KP participants remain vigilant and ensure that the terms of the Joint Work Plan JWP and St. Petersburg agreement are respected.

Last week KP Monitor Abbey Chikane returned to Zimbabwe and diamonds from the two Marange mines. Chikane was not on an official mission of KP and the exports have not been approved by the international rough diamond scheme. Consequently, goods worth some $160 million were sold and may have been already exported to India.

The KP Chair responded to this, saying, “No trade of Marange diamonds can currently take place under the Joint Work Plan until an agreement can be found.”

“Participants are therefore reminded of the need for vigilance and ask Participant to notify the WGM chair in the event of receipt of an irregular shipment of Marange diamonds, until new arrangements are agreed that will allow continued implementation of the Joint Work Plan, including the supervised export mechanism. I very much count on your support and will keep you informed of developments.”