[/caption]You may not know it by the terrible economic conditions in Zimbabwe, where the life expectancy is around forty, but the African country is one of the largest diamond producers in the world. This is one of the economic ironies of many African countries that are replete with minerals, but still the people live in abject poverty.
It is being reported by Voice of America that President Robert Mugabe, the current controversial leader of Zimbabwe, is threatening to flood the diamond markets with its massive reserves worth potentially billions. There are other diamond producing countries who oppose what Mugabe is proposing, and want him to adhere to the process and determination of the “Kimberly” process scheme.
Before diamonds can come on the market, they must meet and pass the “Kimberly” process criteria: no killings to procure the diamonds, no Human Rights violations, and no corruption are some of the conditions that must be met before stones can be put on the market.
It must be noted that Zimbabwe is said to be in violations of all these conditions listed above, which prevents Zimbabwe from selling its diamonds on the open market.
I suppose that the Kimberly process is akin to that of OPEC, which determines the price of a barrel of oil - and just how OPEC has its rogue nations which sell oil cheaper than what was determined in their formal meetings, so too are countries like Zimbabwe, which are involved in diamond trading.
Mugabe is saying that his country is suffering – a charge his critics say he caused – and that selling its' vast diamond reserves will go along way to solve Zimbabwe’s economic plight. Case in point, Zimbabwe says it has diamonds worth billions, while its debts are soaring.
Not that I want to sanction a process which gives us “Blood Diamonds”. But I am of the opinion that the people of Zimbabwe are suffering - maybe by allowing Zimbabwe to sell its' diamonds will be akin to having the stones baptized. Maybe it is only me, but I also feel queasy telling a sovereign country in Africa how to run its economic house.
Many of President Robert Mugabe’s critics are spot on, because he has done many wrongs to his people: Human Rights abuses, murdering opposition leaders, voter fraud, and rampant corruption have been common under his leadership.
It was in 1980 that Mugabe came to power, breaking the shackles of colonialism – it even inspired the late great Reggae artist, Bob Marley, to Penn the song, “Africa Unite.” I think that Bob Marley would have been disappointed, because President Mugabe turned out to be like his colonial masters.
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