The Central African Republic (CAR) has successfully convinced the Kimberley Process (KP), the international body overseeing the global diamond trade, to lift the decade-old ban on its diamond exports. The decision, which was confirmed during the KP’s plenary assembly in Dubai, marks a pivotal moment for the resource-rich yet conflict-stricken nation.
The ban, imposed in 2013 amid ongoing civil unrest, had severely disrupted CAR’s diamond industry, once valued at approximately $50 million. The embargo was a response to concerns that diamonds mined in conflict zones were fueling violence, and was part of broader efforts to halt the trade in so-called “blood diamonds.” While there were partial relaxations in 2015 and 2018, only a fraction of CAR’s 24 mining zones were allowed to resume exports.
In a statement released by CAR’s mining ministry, authorities confirmed that the Kimberley Process had approved the “total lifting of the sanction.” The announcement came at the close of a four-day meeting in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, where KP representatives evaluated CAR’s progress in addressing key concerns over the ethical sourcing of diamonds.
Mines and Geology Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou, who had campaigned tirelessly for the embargo’s end, stated that the country had met all necessary conditions, notably improvements in security and the establishment of full traceability measures to prevent the export of conflict diamonds. “The security issue no longer arises, and we have resolved the minimum traceability requirements for the diamonds,” he assured KP experts in September.
Despite the lifting of the ban, CAR’s road to full recovery remains uncertain. While the country’s civil conflict has largely subsided since 2018, it continues to face intermittent violence and remains one of the poorest nations in the world. The diamond trade, however, represents a critical opportunity for economic growth, with gemstones and gold constituting some of CAR’s most valuable natural resources.
The lifting of the embargo is expected to provide a boost to the country’s mining sector, attracting international companies, including those from China, the United States, Rwanda, and Russia. Russian firms, in particular, are tied to the Wagner mercenary group, which has been a staunch supporter of CAR’s current regime. While this move signals optimism, questions remain about how the country will manage its resources amidst ongoing security challenges and political instability.
As the diamond trade reopens, CAR is hopeful that the return of diamond exports will play a key role in the country’s long-term economic stability and recovery.