Editor’s Note
This article explains the embargo on diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire’s Tortiya and Séguéla zones, stemming from their past illegal exploitation during the country’s crisis and their classification as ‘conflict diamonds’ under the Kimberley Process.
During the sociopolitical crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, the diamond zones of Tortiya and Séguéla were exploited illegally; under the Kimberley Process, diamonds from Séguéla and Tortiya are defined as ‘conflict diamonds’.
Only the Ivorian government can provide proof that Côte d’Ivoire is no longer in a state of political crisis, that diamonds from Séguéla and Tortiya are no longer in a ‘conflict diamond’ situation, and that the artisanal and illegal exploitation by mining communities, especially around Séguéla, has ceased. This would allow Côte d’Ivoire to establish normal trading conditions for its diamonds, in compliance with the Kimberley System.
You should know that diamonds in Côte d’Ivoire were discovered in 1928. Exploitation began in 1940. Industrial exploitation ended in 1975. It was from this date, when Sarmemci withdrew, that artisanal mining took hold. Only the Kimberley Process and its certification system, created in 2000 in the diamond city of Kimberley, South Africa, can decide on lifting the embargo on Côte d’Ivoire’s diamonds.
It is an exceptional delegation comprising several countries: the United States, South Africa, the DRC, Guinea-Conakry, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The mission also includes the European Union, the World Diamond Centre of Antwerp in Belgium, and Canadian civil society. This mission will hold technical meetings in Abidjan and Séguéla and will judge whether Côte d’Ivoire is ready to be declared compliant with the requirements of the Kimberley System, ensuring that Côte d’Ivoire can return and take its place in ‘Kimberley’.
It must be considered that, with the end of the post-election crisis, there is very little evidence that Côte d’Ivoire is in a ‘conflict diamond’ situation. From August to March 2013, several technical awareness sessions were organized by the Group of Friends of Côte d’Ivoire, initiated by the United States and chaired by the European Union. This arrangement is a request for the lifting of the embargo. If the system to ‘save’ Côte d’Ivoire is blocked from reaching a conclusion favorable to lifting the embargo, this issue could prolong the embargo.
Compliance is much more technical and very complicated to assess. But, if Côte d’Ivoire meets the minimum requirements, a favorable conclusion could bring Côte d’Ivoire into compliance in November 2013. This would open the possibility of lifting the embargo in April 2014.
The Kimberley Process and its certification system date from 2000 and were created in South Africa. Already, you have an answer to your question. The international community doubts African diamonds because for many years, rough diamonds have played a role in financing civil wars in Angola and Sierra Leone. Diamonds must not finance rebellions aimed at destabilizing legitimate African institutions.
Assuming a favorable result towards lifting the embargo, the actions of the Friends of Côte d’Ivoire will not stop there. The European Union will co-finance with the United States a 5-year project to strengthen the internal controls of the Kimberley Process, especially the verification of diamond exploitation in the artisanal sector. This is why Côte d’Ivoire must do everything to meet the minimum requirements as a dynamic process, in support of lifting the embargo before November 2013 or April 2014.
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