EU Lifts Liberian Diamond Sanctions

The EU announced on Monday that it has lifted its embargo on Liberian diamonds. The decision to remove the sanctions follows the UN Security Council’s decision to lift its ban on Liberian diamond exports.

The embargo had been in place since 2004 and was removed by the UN on April 27. An EU statement said that the decision was made retroactive to that date.

Last month, Liberia was admitted to the Kimberley Process after satisfying guidelines proving it had taken measures to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds.