Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP), led a delegation from the UAE to the Central African Republic (CAR) in February, marking his second visit to assess the diamond situation firsthand. This visit follows his previous trip to CAR in 2016 during his tenure as KP Chair.
Since 2013, the Kimberley Process has imposed a temporary ban on the import and export of rough diamonds from CAR due to unrest. However, with notable improvements in the security situation, eight subprefectures have been approved for diamond exports, while 16 remain restricted.
During the comprehensive five-day visit, Bin Sulayem engaged in constructive discussions with government officials, industry representatives, and artisanal miners across the country.
The delegation, hosted by CAR’s government team led by the Honourable Rufin Benam Beltoungou, Minister of Mines and Geology, visited key diamond exploration cities such as Bouar, Berbérati, and Bria. The visit culminated in meetings with Prime Minister Félix Moloua in the capital, Bangui.
The reinstatement of CAR’s diamond trade is deemed critical and urgent. Notably, the Kimberley Process designated monitoring team for CAR has yet to conduct a visit in 2024, while the lab-grown industry continues to gain ground.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem emphasized, “By not reinstating certain regions of CAR into the Kimberley Process, it means that diamonds mined in non-approved areas can only be traded illicitly, significantly impacting the livelihoods of families and children across the country.” He expressed confidence in South Africa, currently chairing the KP Working Group on Monitoring, to address the situation effectively.
Civil Society, a Kimberley Process member, has echoed concerns about the slow pace of CAR’s full reinstatement into the Kimberley Process, emphasizing the need for constructive approaches to ensure the country and its people benefit from their diamond wealth.
The UAE, as the first and only Arab country to Chair the Kimberley Process in 2016, plays a pivotal role in regulating the global diamond trade. Established in 2003 by the United Nations, the KP comprises 85 participating countries aiming to prevent unregulated rough diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond market to finance conflict. In 2024, the UAE once again chairs the Kimberley Process.
Despite its rich natural wealth in diamonds, gold, oil, and uranium, CAR remains one of the world’s poorest countries with a population of 5.5 million. Real GDP growth stagnated in 2022 due to severe flooding and fuel shortages.
