New CAR President Says Halting Trade in Diamonds
June 05, 13
(IDEX Online News) – Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia said that his country would halt trade in diamonds pending reforms to ensure that they are not used to finance conflicts. 
CAR President Michel Djotodia.
"There will be no more talk of conflict diamonds in Central Africa," Djotodia told AFP. "We will decree a moratorium on the exploitation and sale of diamonds in order to carry out a precise audit."
The mineral-rich, poverty-stricken country will increase monitoring of diamonds trading, creating a centralized clearinghouse and banning cash sales of the stones, he said.
The Kimberley Process last month suspended Central African Republic due to fears of conflict diamonds financing rebel activity.
Most of the country's diamonds are of industrial quality.
Djotodia's Seleka rebel movement overthrew President Francois Bozize in March is suspected of having been financed by blood diamonds, but
However, Djotodia rejected the allegations. "We never received aid from anyone, and in particular not from diamond dealers," he said, noting that Seleka was formed in a northern district away from the country's diamond areas.