In the Central African Republic (CAR), a nation plagued by years of conflict and instability, the glimmer of a diamond offers more than just a prized commodity. For Christophe Gounou, a 33-year-old artisanal miner, it represents the chance to secure a modest livelihood for his family. Extracting diamonds from the muddy waters of the Kadei-Mambere River, he hums a traditional Sango song of perseverance as he works. Gounou strives to collect at least 80 carats of rough diamonds each month—a target that, when met, allows him to earn around 200,000 CFA francs (roughly $360) to support his wife and 4-year-old daughter.
The possibility of earning from the diamond trade has brought renewed hope to artisanal miners like Gounou, as well as to the broader nation. After a hiatus of nearly two years, CAR’s diamond industry is beginning to recover, with the international community partially lifting the ban on the country’s diamond exports. However, this renewed optimism comes with a significant caveat: the threat of militias exploiting the diamond trade to fuel conflict is still very real.
A Brief History of the Diamond Trade in CAR
Diamonds were once CAR’s largest export, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy. In 2012, the country was the world’s 10th-largest diamond producer by value, with an estimated annual production of 840,000 carats. However, following the violent overthrow of President François Bozizé in 2013, the country descended into civil war. In response, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)—an international initiative aimed at preventing the trade in “blood diamonds”—imposed a ban on CAR’s diamond exports.
The ban was intended to halt the flow of diamonds used by armed groups to fund the ongoing conflict. Yet, in practice, it had far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the ban led to a 37% shrinkage of CAR’s legitimate economy in 2013 alone. Moreover, the illegal diamond trade flourished during this period, with armed groups and smugglers exploiting the situation to profit from illicit diamond sales, further destabilizing the country.
Despite the ban, smuggling rings continued to operate, depriving the government of vital revenue. In 2014, the illegal trade in diamonds cost CAR’s government an estimated $24 million—roughly 2% of its total budget. By 2016, the United Nations ranked CAR as the world’s poorest nation.
The Partial Lift of the Ban and its Complexities
In 2015, as stability began to return to certain regions of CAR, international stakeholders cautiously agreed to partially lift the Kimberley Process ban. This allowed certain diamond-rich areas in the western part of the country to resume legal exports, albeit under strict certification procedures.
Since then, CAR has made some progress. By May 2016, regions like Nola had started exporting diamonds again, although at a much lower rate than in the past. According to Ernest Mbiroa, a diamond collector in Nola, while the certification procedures are demanding, they have facilitated trade and increased revenues for local artisans and collectors.
However, the situation remains far from ideal. While some areas have seen legal diamond exports resume, the broader market has not returned to its pre-2012 levels. In the past two years, CAR has exported roughly 37,000 carats of rough diamonds annually—a stark contrast to the 840,000 carats produced before the outbreak of violence.
A New Set of Challenges: The Return of Armed Militias
Despite the easing of the Kimberley Process restrictions, new threats have emerged. In particular, armed militias in CAR’s eastern and southern regions continue to control diamond-rich areas, using the trade to fund their operations. In August 2024, authorities in neighboring Cameroon arrested a CAR national attempting to export more than 500 carats of rough diamonds. These diamonds had been illegally mined in the conflict-ridden eastern part of CAR and were falsely certified as originating from a safer, government-controlled area.
Francois Alain Ngbokoto, CAR’s Kimberley Process point person, highlighted the difficulties in preventing such illegal activities. “In Bria, there is no prefecture, no gendarmerie, no tax office, no town hall,” he explained. “Illegal mining activities conducted by armed gangs are beyond the control of the state.”
Militias, such as the Central African Peace Unit (UPC), are accused of controlling diamond mines and using the proceeds to bolster their arsenals. Although UPC representatives deny any involvement in the diamond trade, local authorities remain concerned about the group’s potential profits from the illegal diamond market.
Additionally, the Kimberley Process has identified an alarming trend: militias have stockpiled over 60,000 carats of rough diamonds from areas they control, further complicating efforts to ensure that diamonds from conflict zones do not enter the global market.
Regulating the Market and the Path Forward
To address these challenges, CAR authorities, alongside international partners, are working to implement stronger regulatory measures, including a system for marking and tracking diamonds. A green slip indicates diamonds from areas no longer under the Kimberley Process ban, while a red slip denotes diamonds from conflict zones. These measures aim to ensure transparency and prevent blood diamonds from reaching international markets.
However, there are still significant hurdles to overcome. In regions where armed groups continue to exert control, the regulatory framework struggles to maintain integrity. The slow pace of recovery in the diamond trade means that many miners like Gounou still operate in precarious conditions, caught between the need to survive and the risks posed by armed militias.
Despite the challenges, Gounou remains undeterred. He continues to work in the mines of both CAR’s west and east, often in the shadow of growing conflict. “Initially, I was afraid of finding myself in the middle of armed men,” he admits. “But I had no choice. We had to find [diamonds] in order to survive. I prayed to God every day.”
As CAR works to rebuild its diamond industry, the dual challenges of economic recovery and ensuring the responsible trade of diamonds persist. While the easing of the ban offers hope for a brighter future, the ongoing instability in certain regions of the country underscores the need for vigilance and stronger enforcement to ensure that the diamonds mined in CAR are not funding violence and conflict.
