The Kimberley Process (KP), once hailed as the gold standard for preventing conflict diamonds from entering the global market, is now under fire for failing at its core mission. Critics argue that the KP has become outdated and irrelevant in a world demanding greater transparency and accountability.
The Central African Republic: A Case Study in Failure
In mid-November, the KP lifted its 11-year embargo on diamonds from the Central African Republic (CAR), a nation plagued by violence and control of mines by armed groups like the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-backed private military company.
The KP’s narrow definition of conflict diamonds—“rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments”—renders its oversight ineffective. Despite years of monitoring and millions spent, the KP failed to curb the flow of conflict diamonds from CAR. Armed groups continue to exploit diamond mines, fueling violence and instability.
Even more troubling, the KP has yet to publicly release reports from its CAR monitoring team or recent review missions, leaving the industry and consumers in the dark about the decision to lift the embargo.
A Flawed Framework
The KP was established in 2003 to address the use of diamonds in funding wars. While initially impactful, the framework has proven ill-equipped for modern challenges:
- Lack of Enforcement: How many conflict diamond shipments have been intercepted? How many traders or retailers have been prosecuted for violating the embargo? The answer: shockingly few.
- Consensus-Driven Stalemates: The KP requires unanimous agreement to enforce decisions, making it nearly impossible to address political or ethical concerns.
- No Accountability: Diamonds sold by the Wagner Group, responsible for atrocities in CAR, are technically not considered conflict diamonds under the KP because the group operates under government contracts.
Time for a New Approach
The KP’s inability to adapt has led to calls for its reinvention. Brad Brooks-Rubin, a former U.S. State Department adviser and critic of the KP, argues that it should abandon its conflict-free claims and instead focus on statistical tracking of global diamond trade. He suggests:
- Narrowing the KP’s scope to provide accurate trade data.
- Redirecting resources to support comprehensive initiatives like the Responsible Jewellery Council and Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030.
- Reducing the scale of KP meetings, shifting focus to technical discussions rather than ineffective political debates.
Looking Forward: Ethical Diamonds Beyond the KP
The diamond industry has moved beyond the KP, embracing more robust frameworks to ensure supply chain transparency. Initiatives like blockchain technology, ethical sourcing certifications, and partnerships with mining communities offer more effective ways to ensure responsible practices.
The KP’s legacy should be celebrated for its initial impact, but it’s time to recognize its limitations and redirect efforts toward meaningful change. Diamonds may last forever, but outdated processes shouldn’t.