Zimbabwe’s National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (Nango) says it is not moved by statements by Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Obert Mpofu, over Nango’s nomination of Farai Maguwu as the Kimberley Process local focal point person.
Nango acting chief executive officer, Machinda Marongwe this week said the nomination of Maguwu would stand despite statements [...]
Africa
Zimbabwe’s Nango stands by Nomination of Farai Maguwu as Kimberley Process Diamond Certification Scheme as Local Focal Point
Africa
Zimbabwe Minister of Mines Seized with Matter of Developing a Diamond Law, Says Tsvangirai as Zimbabwe Auctions off an estaimted 900,000 Carats of Diamonds
Today we meet here on a historic occasion for Zimbabwe marking the first public auction of the country’s most valuable mineral, the diamond.
Indeed it is historic in that we have managed to satisfy the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process certification scheme which is the global watchdog in regulating the trade of diamonds.
Following the mandate [...]
Africa
DIAMONDS, SIERRA LEONE, A WAR CRIMINAL AND A SUPERMODEL: A BACKGROUND
Global Witness’ Background briefing on the trial of Charles Taylor at which Naomi Campbell will testify
What happened in Sierra Leone?
In 1991, rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) attacked Sierra Leone from Liberia, backed by Charles Taylor, a warlord who later became Liberia’s president. The human cost of the conflict in Sierra Leone was staggering: [...]
Africa
Actress Mia Farrow to testify before UN-backed war crimes trial of former Liberian leader over Blood Diamond Question
The actress and humanitarian activist Mia Farrow is set to give evidence on Monday about blood diamonds that are the current focus of testimony at the ongoing trial of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor at a United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal.
Judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) will hear from Ms. Farrow [...]
Africa
South Africa Working Closely with Zimbabwe on Marange Diamonds and Kimberley Process Issue
South Africa, as a founder member of the Kimberley Process diamond certification scheme, is working very closely with Zimbabwe on the issue of its diamonds from the Marange diamond field as well as the Kimberley Process scheme according to Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba, Director-General of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
“We are also following [...]
Africa
Mia Farrow to Take the Stand at the Charles Taylor Trial After Supermodel Naomi Campbell Admits Receiving Dirty ‘Diamonds’
Actress Mia Farrow is to take the stand at the trial of Former president of Liberian Charles Taylor, following the testimony given by supermodel Naomi Campbell over the diamonds, or dirty looking stones as she described them she allegedly received from Taylor.
Campbell, who arrived late for the court, described how she met Taylor at Nelson [...]
Africa
Naomi Campbell testimony shines light on blood diamonds and the importance of international justice
The role of natural resources in funding conflict will be highlighted by the testimony of supermodel Naomi Campbell at the trial of former warlord and President of Liberia Charles Taylor in the Hague tomorrow (August 5), said campaign group Global Witness. Taylor is charged with war crimes committed in Sierra Leone including murder, rape and [...]
Africa
Zimbabwean Diamond Rights Activist Farai Maguwu Rearrested
Farai Maguwu, the Zimbabwean diamond human rights activist has been rearrested by Zimbabwean police over possession of a stolen car.
Maguwu’s previous arrest has caused great obstacles for Zimbabwe concerning its re-entry into the Kimberley Process diamond certification scheme.
Africa
Responsible Jewellery Council FAQs Explains How the RJC Certification System addresses Conflict Diamonds
FAQs of the Responsible Jewellery Council
Will the RJC system be harmonised with other voluntary initiatives and best practice systems?The Code of Practices has sought to harmonise with widely accepted international standards wherever possible to reduce duplication. A range of international standards and voluntary initiatives are directly or indirectly referred to. These include:
The United Nations Universal [...]
Africa
Congo-Kinshasa: Secretary Clinton On Conflict Minerals in DR-Congo
Following is a Statement by Secretary Clinton on Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo
“Last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I spoke out against the trade in “conflict minerals” that has funded a cycle of conflict there that has left more than 5 million people dead since 1998, displaced countless more, and [...]
Africa
Mia Farrow Also Called to Testify over Naomi Campbell Blood Diamond Issue
Actress Mia Farrow is due to be called by the Prosecution in the Sierra Leone Special Court in the case against the former Liberian president Charles Taylor on August 9th, according to witness list.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell is due to testify on August 5th.
The controversy surrounds the issue over if Campbell received a diamond from Taylor.
Naomi [...]
Africa
Izhakoff: KP coalition of government, business and civil society remains critical to future of global diamond industry and trade
Addressing the 7th Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council (WDC) in St. Petersburg, Russia, WDC President Eli Izhakoff stressed that the Kimberley Process coalition of government, business and civil society remains critical for the future of the entire diamond industry and trade. The full text of Mr. Izhakoff’s speech follows below.
Colleagues and friends, The [...]
