The Central African Republic (CAR) is seeking to persuade the Kimberley Process (KP) to lift the diamond export embargo that has been in place for over a decade, following the outbreak of civil war in 2013. At the opening of the KP plenary assembly in Dubai on Tuesday, CAR Mines and Geology Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou presented the government’s case for lifting the restrictions, emphasizing the country’s progress in restoring security and meeting international standards for diamond traceability.
The KP had imposed the embargo in response to the political and military crisis that escalated into civil war. Minister Beltoungou asserted that the security situation had improved, and the country had met the minimum traceability requirements for diamond exports, as verified by a KP expert team visit in September.
Despite a reduction in conflict since 2018, the CAR still faces sporadic violence and remains one of the world’s poorest nations. The country’s diamond industry, along with gold, represents a crucial resource, but the ongoing sanctions have significantly affected the CAR’s economy. In 2011, the CAR earned $50 million from diamond exports, but by last year, the figure had plummeted to just over $500,000.
While President Faustin Archange Touadera called for the embargo to be lifted, citing the country’s relative stability, the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund highlighted continued security challenges, especially in mining areas. The KP’s plenary assembly, which will run until Friday, is a key opportunity for CAR to argue its case before the global diamond trading community.
