A new agreement allowing Zimbabwe to sell its controversial diamonds is drawing words of caution from rights groups who have documented violations and killings in the country’s diamond mines.
Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada said in a statement on Friday that they welcomed the agreement’s condition that Zimbabwe make “measurable improvements” in its diamond mining practices if it wanted to sell more than the two batches allowed by Thursday’s agreement.
The rights groups are calling for more controls in the months ahead.
A last-minute deal at a meeting of the Kimberley Process certification scheme in Russia has authorised Zimbabwe to sell two batches of diamonds under strict monitoring and regulation until September 1.
Defiant
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said on Tuesday his nation would sell its massive reserves of diamonds despite not receiving authorisation.
A defiant Mugabe told lawmakers that diamond sales have “huge potential” to revive the shattered economy. He said Zimbabwe could account for one-fourth of the world’s diamond supply.
“No one should doubt our resolve to sell our diamonds,” Mugabe told lawmakers at the ceremonial opening of Parliament in Harare. – Sapa-AP