KP Intersessional Fails to Reach Consensus on Marange

The Kimberely Process Intersessional Meeting which concluded in Israel yesterday, failed to reach a consensus on the KP minimum standards implementation in the Marange diamond fields in Zimbabwe, which was the key issue on its agenda over the last few days.

There was much discussion on KP Monitor Abbey Chikane’s recommendations that the country should be allowed to export rough diamonds, the continued implementation of the KP Work Plan which was decided at the KP Plenary Meeting in 2009, arrest of NGO activist Farai Mguwu by the Zimbabwean authorities and the Zimbabwe court’s denial for his bail. However despite KP Chair, Boaz Hirsch extending discussions for a day, a common viewpoint could not be arrived at.

“This situation is unprecedented in the Kimberley Process meeting," said Hirsch, declaring an impasse. He however added that "all parties are committed to further engagement”.

The chair has suggested a mini-summit of the KP major stakeholders be convened within the WDC Annual Meeting on July 14th-15th, in St. Petersburg.

Israel will host the Plenary meeting in Jerusalem between the 1st and 4th of November of this year.