KP okays Marange diamonds

KINSHASA — An agreement that allows immediate exports of diamonds mined in Zimbabwe’s Marange fields was concluded yesterday in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The agreement follows a two-year crisis that threw governments, the diamond industry and civil society into a bitter debate.

According to latest media reports, members of the Kimberley Process (KP) convening in Kinshasa for an annual plenary meeting reached an agreement on exports from two of Zimbabwe’s controversial diamond fields after the United States voiced willingness to concede its tough stance.

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