【Bangui, Cent】Central African Republic: Despite Embargo Lifting, Diamonds Struggle to Shine

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Editor’s Note

The Kimberley Process has lifted its final embargo on diamonds from the Central African Republic, marking a political win for the government. While this may boost official production, significant challenges to ensuring a transparent and conflict-free trade persist, as highlighted by recent international reports.

Le Processus de Kimberley avait instauré en 2013 un embargo sur les diamants centrafricains suite à la crise militaro-politique dans le pays.
Embargo Lifted, But Challenges Remain

The Kimberley Process lifted its last embargo on diamonds from the Central African Republic in November 2024 (following a partial lifting in 2016). This was a political victory for the authorities in Bangui, who had denounced the restriction as unfair to the country’s important resources. The authorities claim the lifting of the embargo should allow production this year to exceed the 112,000 carats produced last year. However, a recent report by the International Peace Information Service (IPIS) highlights that the removal of restrictions does not necessarily mean a massive recovery for the sector. The Kimberley Process had imposed an embargo on Central African diamonds in 2013 following the country’s military-political crisis.

Diamond Dealer’s Testimony

It is difficult to find people in the sector willing to speak on the record. This diamond dealer agreed to testify anonymously. He explained how the embargo affected his activities.

“We had completely reorganized our work around gold. The lifting of the embargo allowed the resumption of our diamond activities in all zones, except that the current market price and the lack of direct financing for artisans from diamond buying offices demotivates the artisans. It must also be recognized that the presence of Wagner troops scares financiers from supporting us. Today, it is necessary to revive the sector through the buying offices, which must support the collectors and mining artisans,” he shared with us.

With the embargo, mining artisans were forced to work with armed groups or illicit networks, or turn to other activities like gold production. Due to a lack of incentives and rock-bottom market prices, diamonds today are struggling to regain their shine.

IPIS Researcher’s Analysis

Hans Merket, a researcher at IPIS and author of the report, explains:

“We have seen that formal actors in the diamond trade have had great difficulty competing with these illicit networks, which have many advantages compared to them. They do not have to pay taxes, they also have connections, logistical networks that have been very well established.”
“And so we still see today that even with the lifting of the embargo, it remains very complicated and difficult for legitimate actors in the trade to catch up and find opportunities in the market,” he further stated.
Government’s Pledge to Support the Sector

The authorities say they are aware of this problem and are seeking to revive the sector. Central African Minister of Mines, Rufin Benam Beltoungou, assures:

“To bring people back to diamonds, it’s a bit more difficult. We have planned, by August if all goes well, to organize a mining artisans’ week. We intend, at the state level, to mobilize resources, but also to interest the private sector. Not only are we working on the industrialization of the sector, but you know that artisanal mining supports 500,000 to 800,000 people. And so the state is working to be able to support that sector. Therefore, this activity will allow the state to provide some material means, some equipment to these mining artisans, which would undoubtedly help restart production.”

The authorities also say they are studying the allocation of semi-industrial mining permits. But IPIS highlights “deeply entrenched smuggling operations, supported by the collusion of state elites.” The research institute notes that a good dose of political will will therefore be needed for diamond carats to benefit the country’s economy once again.

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⏰ Published on: July 16, 2025