Mines Minister Calls for New Global Definition of Conflict Diamonds at KP Plenary in Dubai
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, used his address at the Ministerial Session of the Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary Meeting in Dubai on 20th November, 2025 to push for a stronger, Africa driven definition of conflict diamonds. Speaking in his capacity as Chair of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), he said Africa’s experience with the consequences of illicit diamond trading gives the continent a unique moral authority in the ongoing debate.
Mattai reminded delegates that Sierra Leone’s own civil war was financed through the illegal sale of diamonds, leaving behind deep social and economic scars. He said this history places an obligation on African producers to speak plainly about the weaknesses in the current KP framework. According to him, the definition of “conflict diamonds” has been increasingly shaped by political interests outside producing regions, at the expense of communities whose livelihoods depend on responsible mining.
He criticised what he described as “sanctimonious hypocrisy” from some non-producing countries, arguing that their geopolitical agendas have slowed consensus and undermined the KP’s work. Mattai stressed that African communities continue to bear the cost of delays in reform, and he urged members to treat the lack of agreement on a new definition as a matter of urgency rather than a technical debate.
Representing ADPA, he called for a definition that goes beyond the narrow avoidance of violence. Instead, he proposed one that reflects the concept of “peace diamonds,” which he described as diamonds certified through transparent, inclusive, and development focused governance. He said these standards should recognise mining’s role in lifting communities and contributing to long term national development.
Mattai praised the UAE’s 2025 KP Chairmanship and its theme, “The Year of Best Practice,” but urged delegates to move past the political divisions and procedural arguments that have stalled progress. He said the KP’s legitimacy depends on its ability to reflect the realities of producing countries and uphold the dignity of people working in mining communities.
He ended with a call for unity among governments, civil society and industry representatives. He urged the plenary to reach a consensus that will strengthen global confidence in the Kimberley Process and secure a fairer future for countries whose economies rely on natural diamonds.
