WFDB Warns Members About Ivory Coast Conflict
Re-emergence of conflict diamonds...The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) called on its members to heed warnings issued by the KP Chair earlier this week on the possible re-emergence of conflict diamonds from the Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
The WFDB asked its affiliated bourses to advise their members of the KP letter and assure that its contents are posted—accompanied by a translation in the various local languages—on the bourses' notice boards and websites.
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPSC) chairman Mathieu Yamba, in a letter to member states and distributed by WFDB, called ongoing unrest in Côte d'Ivoire of great concern to the diamond industry since rough diamonds from Cote d'Ivoire are reportedly being exported despite the global ban.
Since early December, Côte d'Ivoire has experienced renewed political and civil unrest following the runoff election between its former President Laurent Gbagbo and President-elect Alassane Ouattara. The U.N. has been taking steps to restore order in the war-torn country as Gbagbo refuses to concede the election. The U.N. operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) meanwhile has been protecting civilians and guarding the Golf Hotel, where President-elect Ouattara and his government are based.
The WFDB's notice followed a message from WFDB president Avi Paz sent earlier this year, calling on the WFDB member bourses to convene members' meetings to discuss how to protect the reputation of the WFDB-affiliated diamond bourses and their members.
By:JewelryOurs
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