{"id":39079,"date":"2025-06-17T12:32:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T10:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/?post_type=publication&#038;p=39079"},"modified":"2025-09-17T22:00:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T20:00:30","slug":"diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For over a decade, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been at the center of international efforts to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. In 2013, the Kimberley Process (KP) \u2014 a global initiative operating a certification scheme to stop rebels from financing their operations through diamond revenues \u2014 imposed a rough diamond export embargo following a violent coup and widespread reports of rebel financing through diamond mining and trade. While the embargo was partially eased between 2015 and 2019, further progress stalled amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly following the arrival of Wagner Group mercenaries in CAR and growing concerns over Russia\u2019s expanding influence in the country\u2019s security and mining sectors. Most mining zones remained under embargo until November 2024, when the KP &#8211; rather abruptly &#8211; lifted the remaining restrictions, citing improved conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on interviews with Central African miners, traders, state officials, civil society representatives, and international experts, this new <a href=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250617_Diamonds-conflicts-and-crimes-in-CAR_.pdf\"><strong>IPIS report <\/strong><\/a>assesses the impact of the KP embargo on artisanal mining, conflict financing, and smuggling dynamics. It also examines the motivations behind the decision to lift the embargo and considers its likely consequences for CAR and the broader diamond governance landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250617_Diamonds-conflicts-and-crimes-in-CAR_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"726\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CAR-diamonds_cover-726x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CAR-diamonds_cover-726x1024.png 726w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CAR-diamonds_cover-213x300.png 213w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CAR-diamonds_cover-768x1084.png 768w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CAR-diamonds_cover-1089x1536.png 1089w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CAR-diamonds_cover.png 1226w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250617_Diamonds-conflicts-and-crimes-in-CAR_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download the report<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ab9c35f55355&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ab9c35f55355\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"3507\" height=\"2480\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/250519_Map-of-KP-compliant-zones-in-CAR-2016\u2013-2024-including-areas-proposed-by-CAR-but-not-approved-by-the-KP-CAR-Monitoring-Team.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/250519_Map-of-KP-compliant-zones-in-CAR-2016\u2013-2024-including-areas-proposed-by-CAR-but-not-approved-by-the-KP-CAR-Monitoring-Team.png 3507w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/250519_Map-of-KP-compliant-zones-in-CAR-2016\u2013-2024-including-areas-proposed-by-CAR-but-not-approved-by-the-KP-CAR-Monitoring-Team-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/250519_Map-of-KP-compliant-zones-in-CAR-2016\u2013-2024-including-areas-proposed-by-CAR-but-not-approved-by-the-KP-CAR-Monitoring-Team-1024x724.png 1024w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/250519_Map-of-KP-compliant-zones-in-CAR-2016\u2013-2024-including-areas-proposed-by-CAR-but-not-approved-by-the-KP-CAR-Monitoring-Team-768x543.png 768w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/250519_Map-of-KP-compliant-zones-in-CAR-2016\u2013-2024-including-areas-proposed-by-CAR-but-not-approved-by-the-KP-CAR-Monitoring-Team-1536x1086.png 1536w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/250519_Map-of-KP-compliant-zones-in-CAR-2016\u2013-2024-including-areas-proposed-by-CAR-but-not-approved-by-the-KP-CAR-Monitoring-Team-2048x1448.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3507px) 100vw, 3507px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Map of KP-compliant zones in CAR (2016\u2013 2024), including areas proposed by CAR but not approved by the KP CAR Monitoring Team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key findings show that the embargo &#8211; though intended to prevent conflict financing &#8211; often harmed artisanal miners more than armed groups. Starting in 2016, falling diamond prices and worsening economic conditions prompted an increasing number of artisanal miners to shift to gold mining, which was easier to self-finance, not subject to sanctions, and increasingly became a significant source of conflict financing. The embargo also fueled diamond smuggling and drew in a range of illicit networks. It failed to address deeper structural issues such as corruption, insecurity, and the unrealistic expectations placed on overseeing a highly complex and fragmented domestic and international supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ab9c35f56319&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ab9c35f56319\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4500\" height=\"1800\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Diamond-export-trend-in-CAR-2003-2024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Diamond-export-trend-in-CAR-2003-2024.png 4500w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Diamond-export-trend-in-CAR-2003-2024-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Diamond-export-trend-in-CAR-2003-2024-1024x410.png 1024w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Diamond-export-trend-in-CAR-2003-2024-768x307.png 768w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Diamond-export-trend-in-CAR-2003-2024-1536x614.png 1536w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Diamond-export-trend-in-CAR-2003-2024-2048x819.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4500px) 100vw, 4500px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decision to lift the embargo &#8211; driven largely by political pressure &#8211; was taken without a clear strategy to address these persistent challenges, risking further setbacks to efforts toward a diamond sector that supports inclusive development and long-term stability. It also raises serious questions about the credibility and future relevance of the Kimberley Process itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As CAR\u2019s diamond sector reopens, the report calls for sustained commitment from government, industry, and civil society at national, regional, and international levels. Key priorities include stronger oversight, meaningful support for artisanal miners, enhanced cross-border cooperation, and renewed dedication to transparency, due diligence, and accountability. Without such efforts, the same patterns of exploitation and conflict risk repeating themselves, regardless of whether an embargo is in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ab9c35f5716a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ab9c35f5716a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2492\" height=\"1762\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Conclusions-and-way-forward_Diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-CAR.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Conclusions-and-way-forward_Diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-CAR.png 2492w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Conclusions-and-way-forward_Diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-CAR-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Conclusions-and-way-forward_Diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-CAR-1024x724.png 1024w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Conclusions-and-way-forward_Diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-CAR-768x543.png 768w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Conclusions-and-way-forward_Diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-CAR-1536x1086.png 1536w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Conclusions-and-way-forward_Diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-CAR-2048x1448.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2492px) 100vw, 2492px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Le r\u00e9sum\u00e9 et les recommandations du rapport sont <a href=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250617_Resume-executif_Diamants-en-RCA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">disponibles en fran\u00e7ais<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250617_Resume-executif_Diamants-en-RCA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"725\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Resume-CAR-diamonds_cover-725x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Resume-CAR-diamonds_cover-725x1024.png 725w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Resume-CAR-diamonds_cover-213x300.png 213w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Resume-CAR-diamonds_cover-768x1084.png 768w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Resume-CAR-diamonds_cover-1088x1536.png 1088w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Resume-CAR-diamonds_cover.png 1224w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250617_Resume-executif_Diamants-en-RCA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">T\u00e9l\u00e9charger le r\u00e9sum\u00e9 (FR)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/D1-1_IMG_20190423_114736.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39320\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:31% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/EN_FundedbytheEU_RGB_POS-1024x228.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31742 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/EN_FundedbytheEU_RGB_POS-1024x228.png 1024w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/EN_FundedbytheEU_RGB_POS-300x67.png 300w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/EN_FundedbytheEU_RGB_POS-768x171.png 768w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/EN_FundedbytheEU_RGB_POS-1536x342.png 1536w, https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/EN_FundedbytheEU_RGB_POS-2048x456.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union<\/em>. <em>The contents of the document are the sole responsibility of IPIS and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For over a decade, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been at the center of international efforts to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. In 2013, the Kimberley Process (KP) imposed a rough diamond export embargo following a violent coup and widespread reports of rebel financing through diamond mining and trade. While the embargo was partially eased between 2015 and 2019, further progress stalled amid rising geopolitical tensions. Most mining zones remained under embargo until November 2024, when the KP \u2013 rather abruptly \u2013 lifted the remaining restrictions, citing improved conditions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":39298,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[180,102,7441,7416,5585,7503,125],"research-program":[4],"publication-category":[11],"country":[13],"publication-author":[25],"partner":[],"publication-researcher":[],"publication-gis":[],"maps-data":[7232],"publication-editor":[],"data-analysis":[],"surveyor":[],"field-research-coordinator":[],"narrative":[7536,7538],"class_list":["post-39079","publication","type-publication","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-asm","tag-car","tag-diamonds","tag-due-diligence","tag-human-rights","tag-kimberley-process","tag-mining","research-program-natural-resources","publication-category-rapport","country-central-african-republic","publication-author-ipis","maps-data-maps-of-car","narrative-conflict-mineral-history","narrative-diamonds"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.5 (Yoast SEO v28.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo - IPIS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"nl_NL\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"For over a decade, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been at the center of international efforts to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. In 2013, the Kimberley Process (KP) imposed a rough diamond export embargo following a violent coup and widespread reports of rebel financing through diamond mining and trade. While the embargo was partially eased between 2015 and 2019, further progress stalled amid rising geopolitical tensions. Most mining zones remained under embargo until November 2024, when the KP \u2013 rather abruptly \u2013 lifted the remaining restrictions, citing improved conditions.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"IPIS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IPISResearch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-17T20:00:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1530\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1108\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@IPISResearch\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Geschatte leestijd\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minuten\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/\",\"name\":\"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo - IPIS\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-17T10:32:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-17T20:00:30+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg\",\"width\":1530,\"height\":1108},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/nl\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Publications\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Report\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/publication-category\\\/rapport\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/\",\"name\":\"IPIS\",\"description\":\"INTERNATIONAL PEACE INFORMATION SERVICE\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"IPIS\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"nl-NL\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/logo-IPIS.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/logo-IPIS.png\",\"width\":46,\"height\":68,\"caption\":\"IPIS\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ipisresearch.be\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/IPISResearch\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/IPISResearch\",\"https:\\\/\\\/be.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/international-peace-information-service-ipis-\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo - IPIS","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/","og_locale":"nl_NL","og_type":"article","og_title":"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo","og_description":"For over a decade, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been at the center of international efforts to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. In 2013, the Kimberley Process (KP) imposed a rough diamond export embargo following a violent coup and widespread reports of rebel financing through diamond mining and trade. While the embargo was partially eased between 2015 and 2019, further progress stalled amid rising geopolitical tensions. Most mining zones remained under embargo until November 2024, when the KP \u2013 rather abruptly \u2013 lifted the remaining restrictions, citing improved conditions.","og_url":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/","og_site_name":"IPIS","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IPISResearch","article_modified_time":"2025-09-17T20:00:30+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1530,"height":1108,"url":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@IPISResearch","twitter_misc":{"Geschatte leestijd":"4 minuten"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/","url":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/","name":"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo - IPIS","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg","datePublished":"2025-06-17T10:32:57+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-17T20:00:30+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"nl-NL","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"nl-NL","@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/D4_1558962481306-scaled-e1750152657476.jpg","width":1530,"height":1108},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/diamonds-conflict-and-crime-in-the-central-african-republic-the-lifting-of-the-last-kimberley-process-embargo\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Publications","item":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Report","item":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/publication-category\/rapport\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Diamonds, conflict and crime in the Central African Republic: The lifting of the last Kimberley Process embargo"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/#website","url":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/","name":"IPIS","description":"INTERNATIONAL PEACE INFORMATION SERVICE","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"nl-NL"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/#organization","name":"IPIS","url":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"nl-NL","@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/logo-IPIS.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/logo-IPIS.png","width":46,"height":68,"caption":"IPIS"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IPISResearch","https:\/\/x.com\/IPISResearch","https:\/\/be.linkedin.com\/company\/international-peace-information-service-ipis-"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication\/39079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/publication"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication\/39079\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39344,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication\/39079\/revisions\/39344"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"research-program","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-program?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"publication-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication-category?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"publication-author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication-author?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"partner","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/partner?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"publication-researcher","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication-researcher?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"publication-gis","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication-gis?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"maps-data","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/maps-data?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"publication-editor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication-editor?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"data-analysis","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/data-analysis?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"surveyor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/surveyor?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"field-research-coordinator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/field-research-coordinator?post=39079"},{"taxonomy":"narrative","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/narrative?post=39079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}