Blood diamonds: Botswana wins bid to host anti-conflict diamond watchdog – The North Africa Post

Botswana, the world’s second-largest diamond producer, has won its bid to host the permanent secretariat of the Kimberley Process (KP), the grouping that certifies that diamonds are not used to fund rebel groups. The KP, a coalition of governments, the diamond industry and civil society representatives, said in a statement on Monday (7 November) it had unanimously elected Botswana to host the secretariat, which is expected to become operational by 2024. Botswana announced earlier this year it was vying to host a permanent new headquarters and secretariat for the KP that was established in 2003. The southern African nation was competing again…