Blood Diamond Crisis in Africa

Essay by bilalipopHigh School, 10th gradeA+, February 2008

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Conflict diamonds have caused problems in the past and continue to do so today. In western Africa in countries such as Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Angola, and Ivory Coast, the people have been surrounded by violence. While the civil war in some of these countries has ended, the problems surrounding conflict diamonds still continue. A conflict diamond is an uncut and unpolished diamond being used for weapons, fuel, and other supplies necessary for waging war.

Countries at war have been trading millions of dollars worth of rough diamonds in order to receive goods to support the war. These goods include guns, grenades, fuel, and other military supplies. The Kimberly Process, a way to track diamonds, was put into affect in 2002. Before this time the percentage of global conflict diamonds was somewhere between 4 and 15 percent. Since the Kimberly Process was put into place the percentage of conflict diamonds is less than 1 percent.

Although the Kimberly Process is helpful, the United Nations estimates that 23 million dollars worth of conflict diamonds are being smuggled out of Ivory Coast each year. This money is being used by rebels to purchase military supplies. "Conflict Diamonds." Issues and Controversies, 19 October 2007. FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. Great Neck South High School, Great Neck, New York.

The diamond conflict in Africa affects our lives in many ways. First, on a human level, it is horrifying to see a human being in another country abused or killed over a high demand luxury in America. By buying uncertified diamonds, people are supporting rebels in their violence. Also, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) claim that conflict diamonds have been funding terrorist groups like Al Qaeda. This group has already resorted to terrorism and by receiving money through conflict diamonds they will have...