Zimbabwe' President threatens to quit Kimberley Process
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has threatened to quit the Kimberley Process .
The Kimberley Process (KP) is the body which ensures diamonds do not fund conflicts.The president and his allies more than once have been accused of rights abuses in the eastern Marange diamond field. They say there is evidence of mass evictions, forced labour and murders by security forces.They also claim that the profits from the stones go to Mr Mugabe and his allies, who joined a unity government a year ago.
The KP gave Zimbabwe until June to prove the Marange field was being properly run. Mugabe denied all accusations and declared that he 'can sell our diamonds our own way'. However, last month Zimbabwe cancelled a diamond sale after officials failed to get KP approval for the gems.
Analysts say the only way open to Zimbabwe would be the black market.