The United States is deeply disappointed with the Kinshasa Intersessional as it related to Zimbabwe. The United States has been a strong supporter of the Kimberly Process in the past and desires to find a way forward for the Kimberley Process that includes Zimbabwe and preserves the credibility of the process. The United States believes that progress with respect to exports from the Marange area of Zimbabwe can occur solely through a mechanism agreed to by consensus among KP participants.

Contrary to some reporting, the Kinshasa Intersessional did not reach a consensus text. The Chair has circulated a text to participants which did not attract consensus.

We believe that work toward a solution must continue, and that until consensus is reached, exports from Marange should not proceed.

We remain ready to work with the Kimberley Process Chair and others to find a solution. The Kimberley Process works best when producers and consumers are collaborating, and when civil society is an active participant. The U.S. would like to ensure the Kimberley Process’s future and enable diamond exports to contribute positively to the region’s people and economy.

Despite the continued challenges surrounding Marange, the United States welcomes the collaborative efforts toward effective diamond sector governance demonstrated during the intersessional by a number of producing countries, such as the Central African Republic, Ghana, Guinea, and Liberia.