The agreement reached by the Kimberely process and the world diamond council to allow Zimbabwe export a limited amount of diamonds from Its Marange diamond fields, is put in perspective.
Concerns have been raised about the wisdom of allowing Zimbabwe export these diamonds, given what has been described as widespread human rights abuses perpetrated by the Zimbabwean military on individuals the military deemed illegal miners of the stones. Indeed human rights groups contend that profits from organised smuggling of Marange diamonds by the government is being used to finance the political and military elite of Robert Mugabe's government.
The current agreement is seen as in part, heading off threats by Zimbabwe to export these diamonds on Its own without international approval, which could potentially destabilise global diamond trade.
It is not entirely surprising that business interests have played a significant part in Zimbabwe being granted formal approval to export diamonds from Marange...
For the sake of peace however, it is perhaps best that the country be allowed to 'legally' export Its diamonds, with necessary checks and balances in place.
A Zimbabwean Government that goes ahead to sell Its diamonds without approval would become more entrenched, combative and intolerant of opposition. This would certainly not bode well for Its citizenry..
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