Avi Paz, WFDB President, however conceded Zimbabwe had a hard task convincing the international community it complied with standards regulating the trade in diamonds.
"The Zimbabwean authorities will have their work cut out to meet and uphold the criteria to enable the country to export its diamonds and benefit from the resources it so desperately needs. Surely, the world at large will scrutinize Zimbabwe carefully as its leadership will need to assure that its mineral resources will lead to genuine sustainable development and increased prosperity for its people," he said in a statement this week.
Paz said until a formal announcement was made, all WFDB members must continue to follow the Kimberley Process and the WFDB directives not to trade in rough diamonds from Marange, or any other rough diamonds that do not have certification.
Controversy surrounds the Marange diamonds from east of Zimbabwe, where a discovery of the stones led to a diamond rush in 2006. Human rights organizations have documented massive human rights violations perpetrated by the country’s uniformed forces at the controversial fields.
These violations have previously led to the country’s suspension from trading in diamonds. The Kimberley Process, which regulates the trade of diamonds, is deadlocked as to whether Zimbabwe should resume trade.
Post published in: Business