‘We will sell our diamonds’

international community that granted the country the nod to sell its gems, analysts have said.
The analysts said the US had become a “pariah state”, disrespecting a collective decision by diamond mining countries under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).
The US has added Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources under its updated “specially designated” sanctions list.
The list extends to any assumed names the companies might operate under, including Block Wood Mining and Condurango Investments.
Political analyst Professor Jonathan Moyo yesterday said the US had an “evil” agenda against Zimbabwe.
“The US has become a pariah state because the KPCS endorsement was a full and complete authorisation by countries under the international body. And there is one country going against a collective decision,” he said.
“They are directly reacting to the KPCS endorsement and also confirming that they have got an evil agenda against our country.”
Prof Moyo said the US was undermining the livelihoods and sovereignty of Africa.
“They want us to be beggars, recipients of their so-called humanitarian assistance.”
Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation chairman Mr Goodwills Masimirembwa said it was now clear Western sanctions were not targeted.
“The US is determined to see our economy collapsing so that it would put into effect its regime change agenda,” he said.
“These two companies are the mainstay of our economy in terms of revenue and the Finance Minister (Tendai Biti) budgeted US$600 million to come from the diamonds.
“They want people to suffer and revolt against their Government.”
Mr Masimirembwa said Zimbabwe would sell its gems with or without the sanctions.
“Yes, there will be problems but we will continue selling our diamonds. We are going to find ways which will help in building our economy than playing to the whims of hostile nations.”
Another analyst Dr Eldred Masunungure said the US decision was political.
“It’s more of a political policy than an economic one. The fundamental flow of KPCS is that there is no enforcement power and countries can do whatever they want,” he said.
“Their actions show that they have got a hidden agenda.”
Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu is on record as saying Zimbabwe was geared to become an economic giant after the KPCS approval.
Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources both operate joint ventures with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), a State-owned company, and private investors. ZMDC is also on the sanctions list.
ZMDC, which holds the 667 square-kilometre Marange concession area, selects joint venture partners to establish mines along a thriving small-scale sector. Anjin, a joint venture between Chinese investors and locals, which also operates in Marange and was recently given the KPCS approval to export its rough diamonds, was not included on the updates OFAC sanctions list.
The illegal Western sanctions have been blamed for the economic challenges facing the country.