By Julius Konton
A high-level delegation from the Kimberley Process (KP) has intensified its ongoing review of Liberia’s diamond export systems, conducting a comprehensive inspection at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The exercise is as part of efforts to ensure compliance with global standards governing the trade in conflict-free diamonds.
On the second day of its mission, the KP Review Team focused on export procedures, security mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks controlling the shipment of diamonds from Liberia.
The delegation examined operations at key customs checkpoints and export handling areas, placing strong emphasis on transparency, traceability, and adherence to international certification requirements. Fahnceth B. Mulba, Liberia’s KP Focal Point and Deputy Mines and Energy Minister for Planning, Research, and Development led the engagement with the visitors.
She was joined by Rebecca Kumba Fallah, Director of Precious Minerals, alongside a team of diamond export officers and ministry staff stationed at the airport.
The review team conducted detailed assessments of safeguards designed to prevent the export of conflict diamonds, scrutinizing documentation processes, valuation systems, and chain-of-custody protocols. Officials at the airport demonstrated operational procedures to ensure that all diamond shipments are properly certified and aligned with KP standards.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, established in 2003, is a global initiative involving more than 80 countries and accounting for approximately 99 percent of the international diamond trade. Its core mandate is to eliminate the flow of “blood diamonds,” gems linked to armed conflict by enforcing strict export and import controls among participating nations.
The activities culminated in a multi-stakeholder engagement session involving the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), as well as representatives from civil society organizations.
The forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to outline their roles in monitoring and regulating the diamond trade, while also identifying challenges and proposing solutions to strengthen accountability and transparency across the sector.