WFDB Urges End to Kimberley Process Impasse

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses issued a statement May 26 urging members of the Kimberley Process to resolve their internal disagreements on the issue of rough diamond exports from Zimbabwe and allow the country to export rough diamonds from all diamond mining areas in the country, including Marange.

"The KP, due to the deadlock in its decision-making process…is about to cause irreparable damage throughout the entire to supply pipeline of our industry and trade, and threatens the livelihood of literally millions of people throughout the international diamond and jewelry sector " said WFDB President Avi Paz in a statement.

Paz emphasized that the current impasse is causing damage to the reputation of the diamond and jewelry sector, but also for a significant part of the economic hardship that continues to befall the people of Zimbabwe.

"While the diamond industry and trade is in a position to contribute to the betterment of many Zimbabwean citizens, the inaction of the KP, its members and its experts is now the major stumbling block toward real progress," the WFDB president said. "In addition, if the KP remains indecisive on ZIM, there is a real danger that the relevance of the KP itself will be at stake."

Meanwhile, the WFDB president stressed that along with its strong statement, it had instructed all members of the WFDB to continue to follow the KP's and the WFDB's clear directives not to trade in rough diamonds without the proper KP certification.