News / Africa
Central African Republic suspended from Kimberley Process
28 May 2013 at 13:11hrs | Views
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been suspended from the Kimberley Process, an international body responsible for halting the trade in conflict-tainted diamonds, because of the military clashes in the country.
According to a document signed by current Kimberley Process chair, South Africa and published on Monday, certified diamond trading with the CAR was suspended with immediate effect.
The document was sent to the 80 member states of the Kimberley Process.
Early this month, South African diplomat Welile Nhlepo, who is the Chair Ambassador of the Kimberley Process, warned of the conditions in the CAR in regard to the trade in diamonds saying conflict diamonds were fuelling rebel activities to remove elected officials from office.
On January 11, former CAR president François Bozizé and representatives of the Seleka rebels signed an agreement in Libreville, Gabon, after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbours.
However, the deal fell through and Michel Djotodia, leading thousands of Seleka rebels, captured the CAR capital Bangui and proclaimed himself president after seizing power from Bozizé on March 24.
According to a document signed by current Kimberley Process chair, South Africa and published on Monday, certified diamond trading with the CAR was suspended with immediate effect.
The document was sent to the 80 member states of the Kimberley Process.
Early this month, South African diplomat Welile Nhlepo, who is the Chair Ambassador of the Kimberley Process, warned of the conditions in the CAR in regard to the trade in diamonds saying conflict diamonds were fuelling rebel activities to remove elected officials from office.
On January 11, former CAR president François Bozizé and representatives of the Seleka rebels signed an agreement in Libreville, Gabon, after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbours.
However, the deal fell through and Michel Djotodia, leading thousands of Seleka rebels, captured the CAR capital Bangui and proclaimed himself president after seizing power from Bozizé on March 24.
Source - zbc
