All about Blood Diamonds

The expression blood diamond is normally used in the context of diamond trading. These tend to be diamonds which are mined from a war zone. In addition, they are often sold to finance wars, insurgency or the activities of a war lord. These diamonds are commonest in Africa, and they have come to be branded as blood diamonds, because of all blood that needs to be shed for the advantage of a few. It is only when there is war in these mining areas that diamond trading will thrive, for the main benefit of only a few people. To, fully understand these diamonds; it is essential that we take a look at their past and how they had become known as blood diamonds.

The diamonds stumbled on first be recognized in Angola, during a civil war from 1974 to 2001. However, the trading of the diamonds was first recognized between 1992 and 1998, UNITA offered diamonds to finance its war. It was during this time period that the UN recognized the use of diamonds to invest in wars. It was estimated that about 20% of the total diamond production in that time was used to fund war. The UN resolved that this sort of trade needs to be stopped, but the resolution did not stop UNITA from selling diamonds to finance its war.

Another country that has had a past of blood diamonds is Liberia. The nation registered the largest number of blood diamond trade between 1989 as well as 2003, when it had been encompassed in a civil war. The president of Liberia, Charles Taylor has been accused in 2000 by the UN for supporting a good insurgency in Sierra Leone in exchange for diamonds. He later stepped down and had to face trial in the Hague. Despite the truth that he pleaded not guilty to all the charges, he has been found responsible in April of 2012 and later sentenced to fifty years in prison. He is to serve out his sentence in a maximum security prison in Britain. It has also been claimed that al-Qaeda purchased gems from Liberia to fund its activities against the united states in 1998.

Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo tend to be other countries which were involved in the trading of blood diamonds. In 1999, a coup over threw the government in Ivory Coast and the country became a trade route for diamonds from Liberia and Sierra Leone. Up to date, illegal trading of diamonds still exists in Ivory Coast. As for The Democratic Republic of Congo, it is famous for the export of the Millennium Star, which is regarded as the world’s most celebrated priceless diamond.

Overall, blood diamonds are things that have been around for a long time now. They have been used to fund some of the world’s biggest wars and are still being traded today. These diamonds are not desired and have been banned by the UN. However, despite all the sanctions against these diamonds, they make their way into the market.