In his 92nd birthday interview on 3 March President Mugabe stated that the diamond sector had made $15 billion but the country had only received $2 billion from it and suggested various options for reforms, warns a press release from non-governmental organization Global Witness. This came after the Zimbabwe Mining Minister announced on the 22nd February that all diamond companies must cease operations with immediate effect after months of wrangling over the government’s proposal to merge all of the companies into one amalgamated entity, says the NGO.
Investigations by Global Witness over the past 4 years have exposed links between members of the security forces, controlled by the President, and some of the mining companies operating there.
“Any reforms must ensure that Zimbabwe’s security elite can no longer have illicit access to the country’s diamond wealth. The diamond industry needs to become completely transparent and those involved held accountable for their actions,” says Conflict and Fragile States Director at Global Witness Nick Donovan.
“Reform of the diamond sector could be a crucial opportunity for the almost three-quarters of the Zimbabwean population who live in poverty to finally receive some benefit from these precious stones,” concludes Donovan.
