What are conflict diamonds in Africa?

Diamond-financed conflicts are nothing new in Africa. Conflict diamonds originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to the legitimate or internationally recognized governments. Conflicts in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone fuelled in part by the trade in rough diamonds.

What are three issues that occur in Africa when the diamond trade occurs?

Too often, the world’s diamond mines produce not only diamonds – but also civil wars, violence, worker exploitation, environmental degradation, and unspeakable human suffering.

When did blood diamonds start in Africa?

1990s
The very specific UN definition of blood diamonds was formulated during the 1990s, when brutal civil wars were being waged in parts of western and central Africa by rebel groups based in diamond-rich areas of their countries.

Can you buy conflict diamonds?

Most jewelers offer conflict-free diamonds, because many countries, including the United States, make it illegal to sell and trade conflict diamonds. Certain jewelers, however, take their efforts further to ensure that a diamond is mined and shipped ethically.

How do I know if I have a conflict diamond?

Thus, for a diamond to be “non conflict” certified, its mining, cutting, polishing, and shipping must be extensively recorded, regulated, and double checked. The jeweler that you go to should have a license and official paperwork in order to prove that the diamond did not come from a conflict area.

What are the conflicts of diamond?

Conflict or “blood” diamonds are illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa, according to the World Diamond council, which represents the commercial diamond trade.

Why are conflict diamonds a problem?

Diamonds have funded brutal wars in countries such as Angola, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people. There is a reason they are dubbed ‘Blood Diamonds’.

Where do conflict diamonds come from?

Conflict diamonds have originated from Angola, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Diamonds have also sustained the conflict in Liberia and are a potential revenue source for future conflicts if the trade in rough diamonds is not effectively managed and monitored.

Are there still blood diamonds in Africa?

In 2006, Leonardo DiCaprio made the term “Blood Diamonds” a household phrase. A lot has been done to address the issue of blood diamonds and conflict diamonds since then, but unfortunately, we still have a ways to go. The diamond trade is an 81 billion dollars industry with 65% of mined diamonds coming from Africa.