Australia refuse to clear Zimbabwe to attend 2017 KPCS meetings

Zimbabwe and Australia have reached a deadlock over the participation of the African country when the western nation assumes the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) chairmanship in 2017.                             

This emerged at the closing of the KPCS plenary meeting in Luanda, Angola where Australia refused to confirm a clear entry for Zimbabwe to attend the 2017 KPCS intercessional and plenary meetings.      

Australia is one of the countries that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, a development analysts say makes it difficult for the country to participate freely at the KPCS meetings in 2017.                       

While South Africa came strongly backing Zimbabwe's position for the removal of a restrictive clause, Australia said it will discuss the issue with Zimbabwe away from the meeting.  

Zimbabwe has made it clear that they cannot give their vote for Australia to be the chair in 2017 if the western country does not clarify  the aspect of Zimbabwe's entry without challenges.