19 Oct 2022

When the history of diamonds in Botswana is re-written, it goes without saying that a chapter should  be reserved to capture the prospects of hosting Kimberly Process(KP) secretariat.

So distinct and captivating would be such an account of how Botswana is not only anxious to protect its diamond industry from the taint of conflict diamonds, but is also lobbying to house the headquarters of the anti-conflict diamond watchdog in Gaborone.

Like the winds that set sails to a windmill, the prospects of hosting the KP secretariat give ascent to the vantage tower from which Botswana envisions to propel towards her aspirations to be the  world  diamond hub.

The Kimberly Process is the brainchild of Southern African diamond-producing countries that met in Kimberley, South Africa, in May 2000, to stop the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ and ensure diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was then set up in 2003.

It is against the backdrop of the 2003 KPCS agreement that forecasts of Botswana housing the secretariat  lies in the horizon and government is determined to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Botswana become the headquarters of some of the world’s leading diamonds producers.  

In making its bid, Botswana’s message has been centered on the country’s diamond story, which dates back to one year post independence era and it is a clear narrative of a country transformed, primarily by harnessing the power of its diamond resources to maintain tight control of its mineral wealth.

It is through the proceeds of revenues generated from diamond mining that government continues to transform the lives of people in more ways than could have been imagined by prehistoric societies across the vast landscape of Botswana.

When lobbying European Union (EU) member states to back the country’s bid, President  Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi once said, “The significance of Botswana diamonds on the economy is unlike any in the world; diamonds mean everything to us. Every good story you have heard about Botswana is predicated on the production, safe selling and responsible utilisation of diamonds.”

Botswana is not a newbie in hosting organisational secretariats, as it is the current host of the SADC and the expectation is that it can emulate such success even in housing the KP secretariat.

The nation thus awaits with bated breath for the resumption of the Kimberly Process Plenary meeting to be held in Gaborone on November 1-5, where the winner of the Kimberly Process secretariat host bid will be announced.

Currently, only Botswana and China are bidding to house the anti-conflict diamond secretariat watch dog, following Austria’s bid withdrawal.

Botswana Diamond Hub deputy director, Ms Susan  Matlolela said the prospects of hosting the KP secretariat was luscious as  it  emphasised government’s devotion to protecting the local diamond industry from the blemish of conflict diamonds. Speaking in an interview, she expressed optimism that the upcoming KP plenary meeting would announce Botswana as the deserving host of the KP secretariat because Botswana has since the launch of the Kimberley Process in 2003, supported its mandate in order to protect its diamond industry.

“Our diamonds have, from the onset, been ethically mined and have always been for development and economic growth, unlike in certain cases, where diamond mining has financed civil wars. 

The diamonds in Botswana have financed economic growth, and it is this distinction that the government would like to highlight,” she said.

She highlighted that Botswana was often hailed as a model of democracy, stability and prudent economic policy in sub-Saharan Africa and that notion  was further cemented by the manner in which the country  has used its resources for economic benefits and uplifting its citizen’s livelihoods, something that Ms Matlolela said could  also boost  Botswana’s  bid.

To further guard against illicit mining, she said government had adopted a global certification system that identifies the origin of all rough diamonds and act as the cornerstone of the Kimberley process.

She is of the view that it is fitting for Botswana to house the KP secretariat since the country was the world’s largest producer of gem-quality diamonds, in terms of value of output, and the second largest volume producer in the world unlike her bidding competitor, China who does not mine diamonds at all.

“It is worth noting that Botswana’s current status as the chair of the KP process, could also give her an edge over China,” she said. Ms Matlolela noted that Botswana’s chairmanship continued to deliver tangible progress on all of the Kimberly Process priority areas as well as strengthen the implementation and effectiveness of the Kimberly agreements. BOPA