News / National
Kimberly plenary session to go ahead as scheduled
03 Oct 2011 at 07:03hrs | Views
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme plenary session slated for the Democratic Republic of Congo next month will go ahead as scheduled after the diamond body's chairman, Mathieu Yamba, blocked attempts by some Western non-governmental organisations to prevent the meeting from taking place citing human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
In a letter to the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations on September 23, Yamba said he would "continue to work with those who wish so".
The coalition – led by Partnership Africa Canada and Global Watch – had written to him, arguing the impending meeting would end all "meaningful oversight" of the Chiadzwa diamonds.
The grouping also threatened to boycott the meeting alleging the diamonds had fuelled human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
However, the KP chair hit back strongly, insisting the Kinshasa plenary session would proceed.
In a letter to the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations on September 23, Yamba said he would "continue to work with those who wish so".
The grouping also threatened to boycott the meeting alleging the diamonds had fuelled human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
However, the KP chair hit back strongly, insisting the Kinshasa plenary session would proceed.
Source - Mail
