Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa today firmly rejected the unilateral diamond trade restrictions imposed by certain market players on African countries.
Speaking at the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA) Council of Ministers in Victoria Falls, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed Africa's stance on the trade of natural diamonds and advocated for the prioritization of the continent's interests.
"Our mother continent, Africa, contributes more than 60 percent of global natural rough diamond production. This makes us a key source of the mineral commodity. I challenge you, as the representatives of our countries, to assert the African position on matters of diamond production, trade, and pricing.
“We are an independent Continent and those from overseas must talk to us as equals. The proposed unilateral restrictions on the trade of natural diamonds being imposed by some market players are unacceptable," President Mnangagwa stated emphatically.
The President underscored the importance of prioritizing the benefit and interests of African peoples in the exploitation of natural resources.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted Zimbabwe's progress in the diamond sector, noting its upward trajectory in production output and revenue generation.
"In the case of Zimbabwe, the diamond sector has been on an upward growth trajectory in terms of both production output and revenue generation. The current focus on increased compliance to international best practices and standards will undoubtedly contribute to enhanced complementarity between mining companies and our communities that live in mining areas," he said.
Addressing environmental concerns associated with mining, President Mnangagwa emphasized the need for a balance between profitability and sustainable practices.
He stressed the importance of maintaining high ethical standards and fostering peaceful co-existence with local communities.
"As the peoples of Africa, we must move beyond narratives where it is questioned whether our rich natural resources are a blessing or a curse. We must be awake and leverage our natural resource endowments to build our beloved continent, brick by brick, stone upon stone, and step by step," he said.
Expressing concern over the rise of man-made diamonds, the President called upon stakeholders to innovate solutions to mitigate risks to the natural diamond sector.
He also advocated for the growth of Africa's local cutting and polishing industry to increase the value derived from diamond exports.
The President reiterated Africa's determination to assert its position in the global diamond market and urged collective action to safeguard the interests of African nations in the face of unilateral trade restrictions.
Meanwhile, the 9th ADPA ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers commenced this Tuesday amidst fervent calls for member States to synchronize their diamond policies and bolster the exchange of ideas, ultimately aiming to maximize the value derived from this precious natural resource.
