Citing disquiet about the lack of action being taken by the Kimberley Process to reform its operation and to end the trade in diamonds from areas of conflict, the NGOs affiliated to the process have informed the KP Chair that they do not intend participating in November’s Plenary Meeting in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In an email sent by Alan Martin of Partnership Africa Canada to KP Chairman Mathieu Yamba, on behalf of the NGOs, specific concern was expressed that the Kimberley Process might act to end meaningful oversight of exports from Zimbabwe.  

The email also said it was concerned about KP’s ability to respond effectively to incidents of diamond fueling conflict and human rights violations in diamond producing areas, and it was critical of what it described as reluctance by the organization to introduce reforms of its structure and decision-making processes.