KP Moves to Further Reinstate CAR

(IDEX Online) - The Kimberley Process (KP) is considering moves to reinstate parts of the Central African Republic's (CAR) diamond trade.

A temporary ban on the import and export of rough diamonds was imposed by the KP in 2013, after yet another coup - the sixth since it gained independence from France in 1960.

Eight of the country's 24 subprefectures have since been approved for diamond exports, as the security situation improves.

But all trade in diamonds recovered in the other 16 subprefectures remains illicit.

CAR's diamond mining is almost entirely artisanal or small-scale mining. 

Legal exports totaled just under $8m in 2020, the latest year for which KP has figures. CAR sold 50,433 carats for an average £142 per carat.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem (UAE), the KP chair, called for an urgent review after a five-day visit to the country.

"By not reinstating certain regions of CAR into the Kimberley Process, it means that diamonds mined in non-approved areas can only be traded illicitly, significantly impacting the livelihood of families and children across the country," he said.

"With South Africa now chairing the KP Working Group on Monitoring, I am confident that the situation in CAR will be properly addressed. 

"We strongly urge the CAR Monitoring Team, led by the USA, to expedite a review mission which has not been prioritised for ten years. Our recent visit to CAR reaffirms the need for action."

File pic shows UN peacekeepers in Bangui, Central African Republic.