ZW Debate: Diamonds are Mugabe’s new best friend - How to control Zimbabwe’s diamonds?

On August 11 2010, diamond traders from Russia, India, the US, Lebanon, and Israel flew to Zimbabwe’s capital Harare to bid on diamonds worth around 50 million euros at Harare airport. These diamonds were from Chiadzwa, an area under the military control of Mugabe’s security apparatus, where numerous human rights violations have taken place.

The developments in Chiadzwa have also led to a lot of discussion within the Kimberley Process, the international diamond certification scheme. Furthermore, with elections increasingly likely to happen in 2011, there is mounting fear Mugabe will use the revenues of the diamonds to fund new campaigns of violence. Therefore, Zimbabwe Watch, in cooperation with the WDO (www.wdoleiden.nl) and the Zimbabwe Europe Network (www.zimbabweeurope.org) will organize a public debate about Zimbabwe’s diamonds.

Special guest is Zimbabwean researcher Shamiso Mtisi, coordinator of the Local Focal Point, of the Kimberley Process. He is coming directly from the Kimberley Process meeting in Israel, and can therefore give an update about the recent developments.

Freelance journalist Hans van Scharen will chair the debate, and Zimbabwe Watch’ Hugo Knoppert will also contribute. Possibly there will be a representative of the diamond industry.

See the agenda section for more information.