Conflict Diamonds

‘Conflict diamonds’ is the term used to describe diamonds which are illegally traded to fund conflicts. In recent times, conflicts in some of the poorest parts of Africa have often focussed on rebels controlling their country’s natural resources and assets; for example, oil, wood, minerals and also diamonds.

Conflict diamonds came to the attention of the world media during the extremely brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the 1990s. While Sierra Leone is now at peace, currently, Liberia, Republic of Congo (also known as Congo Brazzaville) and the Ivory Coast are under UN sanctions.

How many of the world’s diamonds are conflict diamonds?

Currently, less than 1% of the world’s diamonds are conflict diamonds. In the late 1990’s, conflict diamonds represented a very small percentage of the world’s diamond production (approximately 4%).

How does the diamond industry ensure conflict diamonds are not in the pipeline?
The brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the 1990s brought conflict diamonds to the world’s attention. The UN, governments, the diamond industry and NGOs (such as Global Witness, Amnesty International and Partnership Africa Canada), recognized the need for a global system to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain and thus helping to fund conflict.

A simple process called the Kimberley Process was agreed in which rough diamonds are sealed in a tamper-resistant container and have a forgery-resistant, conflict free certificate with a unique serial number each time they cross an international border. This process ring-fences conflict diamonds in order to prevent them from entering the diamond supply so that they do not fund any rebel groups. Governments of the exporting and importing countries are responsible for checking all Kimberley Process certificates.

In addition, the diamond industry has agreed to provide evidence to all purchasers in the chain that diamonds are from conflict free sources. This means from when diamonds are imported with a Kimberley Process certificate up to the point of sale with the consumer. This involves a written statement on all invoices declaring that the diamonds are from a conflict free source which is referred to as the ‘System of Warranties’.

While today more than 99% of rough diamonds are certified to be from conflict free sources the diamond industry has a zero tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds and will not rest until conflict diamonds are completely eradicated.