Mines Minister Urges United African Front Ahead of the 2025 Kimberley Process Plenary

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, has urged African diamond-producing countries to form a united front as they prepare for the 2025 Kimberley Process Plenary in Dubai, UAE. Speaking as Chairman of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) at a Pre-Meeting to Coordinate a Common Position, Minister Mattai emphasised the importance of collective action in shaping international policy in ways that benefit the continent’s diamond sector.
The ADPA Pre-Meeting focused on reaching an agreement among member states to ensure that Africa’s priorities are clearly articulated and effectively defended during the upcoming plenary. Minister Mattai emphasised the ADPA’s role in ensuring the integrity of the diamond trade and increasing the continent’s bargaining power in global forums. Delegates were encouraged to participate constructively so that a coherent and well-coordinated stance could be presented at the Dubai meeting, thereby increasing the credibility of diamond-producing countries in international negotiations.
The ongoing global debate over the definition of “conflict diamonds” was a major focus of the Pre-Meeting. Delegates advocated for a modernised and more comprehensive definition that reflects current realities throughout the diamond value chain. Participants unanimously agreed that diamond-producing communities should be recognised within any revised definition. Members argued that including these communities would improve transparency, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure that those most impacted by extraction and trade are represented in governance frameworks.
Throughout the sessions, ADPA members emphasised the value of unity, collaboration, and proactive diplomacy. They agreed to finalise a unified African position ahead of the 2025 Kimberley Process Plenary, to keep Africa’s interests and the well-being of its diamond-producing communities at the forefront of international discussions. The coordinated approach is intended to ensure that policy outcomes preserve market integrity while also providing equitable and long-term benefits to communities that rely on diamond resources.