Abstract

"Conflict diamonds," those used by rebel armies to pay for weapons, constitute a major human security problem, fuelling wars and leading to massive civilian displacement in a number of African countries. While conflict diamonds represent a small proportion of the overall diamond trade, illicit diamonds represent as much as 20% of annual world production. This level of illegality creates the opportunity and the space for conflict diamonds. In January 2001, Partnership Africa Canada (PAC), in collaboration with partners in Europe and Africa, launched the Human Security and the International Diamond Trade in Africa Program. Over the next 3 years (2003-2005) the Program will seek to consolidate gains made to date; build effectiveness into the international diamond certification system devised by the Kimberley Process; support a civil society base for monitoring the diamond industry in Africa and beyond; and engage the diamond industry, African governments and civil society in deriving a greater development impact from the diamond industry. This grant will contribute to the program by supporting research and dissemination of the 2003-2004 Annual Review of the diamond industry and its development impact in the three countries most affected by conflict and illicit diamonds (Sierra Leone, Angola, and Democratic Republic of Congo). It will also support an in-depth study of the place of alluvial diamond mining in the illegal diamond trade.

Recipient Institution(s)