The high-profile Intersessional Meeting of the Kimberley Process ended June 24 without a consensus reached regarding the implementation of the Joint Work Plan in the Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe. 

The work plans calls for diamond sales from Marange to only take place with the approval of the KP monitor. While the monitor had recommended exports go ahead, the larger body could not come to an agreement on that recommendation.

Zimbabwe had been accused of violating the work plan.   

The meeting also sought to address a number of initiatives—including creating an office for administration and consolidating the KP’s decision-making process—however, the situation in Zimbabwe took precedence in light of the controversial arrest of NGO activist Farai Mguwu and his treatment by the Zimbabwean authorities. 

Zimbabwe threatened to leave the KP if it did not get approval to export rough diamonds from Chiadzwa in Marange, according to a news report. 

Israel will host the Plenary meeting in Jerusalem between the 1st and 4th of November of this year.

For more coverage on the KP and Zimbabwe, click here, here and here.

JCK