Zimbabwe's Diamond Problem

(Thumbnail image from Global Witness)

"There was a massacre.  At least 150 diggers died, some were torn apart by police dogs... They were fired on from the helicopters and hunted down.  We were lead to a mass grave where 68 of the illegal diamond diggers are buried after the seizure of the Marange field.  Senior sources in Harrare said only President Mugabe could have ordered a military operation on this scale.” (BBC)

Blood Diamonds.  That's the name of the diamond trade in Zimbabwe, home of the world's largest and richest diamond fields.

The international diamond watchdog, known as the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme, is holding a four-day meeting in Namibia to consider banning diamond exports from Zimbabwe.  The Kimberly Process is aimed at restricting the free flow of so-called “conflict diamonds” into the mainstream rough diamond market.  

We are following coverage of the situation in Africa from the BBC, CNN, AllAfrica.com, and The Guardian.

First CNN has perspectives from human rights organizations who are demanding Zimbabwe be held accountable and that the Kimberly Process do its job.

“The government in Zimbabwe, the supposed, allegedly legitimate government, is actually doing it itself. They are the ones that are putting the blood on the diamonds.”

“Rather than using the Marange mines to pay off the military to pad the Swiss bank accounts of POF officials, why don’t you use that $200 million a month to begin serve the people of Zimbabwe.”

“We are also asking the Kimberly Process to expand the definition of what they call 'conflict diamonds' to include diamonds mined in extremely abusive situations like Zimbabwe.  These are blood diamonds.”  

Several months after the seizure of the Marange diamond field, reports of forced child labor, mass killings, rape, and illicit trade remain rampant.  Time may be running out for Zimbabwe’s government, who is denying all allegations of abuse.  

AllAfrica.com says the Kimberly Process is failing, and a ban could fuel the cycle of bloodshed in the area.

"The cost of a collapse would be disastrous for an industry that benefits so many countries, and for the millions of people in developing countries who depend, directly and indirectly on it. A criminalised diamond economy would re-emerge and conflict diamonds could soon follow. The problems can and must be fixed."

The Guardian says the ban will be difficult to enforce in Zimbabwe, and also talks about the impact it would have on diamond dealers.

“However, the scheme is voluntary and the Zimbabwean authorities would be required to enforce it – the same authorities that are said to be heavily involved in illegal smuggling and violence at the mines. a suspension would also put the onus on reputable traders and governments not to buy Zimbabwean diamonds, which dealers can easily identify by their coarse, pebble-like appearance. Those trading in non-KPCS diamonds risk expulsion from the world's 24 diamond bourses.”

Will the Kimberly Process hold up and stop the flow of diamonds from Zimbabwe?  What action do you think should be taken?