Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has voiced strong opposition to the impending proposal by the G7 nations, scheduled to be enforced starting January 1, 2024. Alweendo has raised significant apprehensions regarding the potential repercussions of these stringent measures, particularly emphasizing the comprehensive verification process planned for all diamonds entering both the G7 and EU territories. This verification process is slated to occur exclusively through a solitary channel located in Antwerp.
Expressing deep concerns, Minister Alweendo highlighted that Namibia, as the world’s eighth-largest producer of diamonds, is likely to encounter a series of additional hurdles, regulations, and escalated expenses under the proposed system. His worries also extend to the potential undermining of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme due to the introduction of these new sanctions.
