“Blood diamonds” became notorious for financing Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war. Twenty‑five years ago, the Kimberley Process was launched to end this illicit trade. Accused of fueling the conflict, the diamond industry has since worked to rebuild its image, emphasizing ethical practices. A quarter‑century later, the question remains: have those diamonds truly become symbols of development? FRANCE 24’s Sarah Sakho and Simon Martin report.
The civil war, which raged from 1991 to 2002, claimed more than 120,000 lives and left thousands of civilians mutilated. It became synonymous with “blood diamonds”. A deadly battle for control of Sierra Leone’s diamond mines gave rise to a parallel economy backed by major international firms. This illegal trade is estimated to have generated up to $125 million a year, much of it used to fund the fighting.
Hollywood thrust the scandal into global awareness with the 2006 film “Blood Diamond”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The exposure provoked intense scrutiny of the global diamond industry, compelling it to overhaul its standards in an effort to restore credibility.
The Kimberley Process, a system to trace diamonds’ origin
Twenty‑five years ago, the Kimberley Process was established through negotiations among leading diamond‑producing nations and companies. It created a system to verify the origin of gems and prevent a repeat of the past.
A quarter‑century later, the industry promotes its transformation, highlighting ethical trade and community development. Yet, in the Kono district—once the epicenter of the blood‑diamond trade—these promises remain far from fully realized.
