Blood Diamonds

Sierra Leone, located in the west side of Africa, between Guinea and Liberia. It had gained its Independence in 1961, now with the population of 6.2 million. Almost have of the population lives off of subsistence agriculture, however, Diamond mining is considered for half of Sierra Leone’s exports. Diamonds were first discovered in Sierra Leone in 1930, and a war broke out between 1991 and 2002 over diamonds that led to the name blood diamonds. Blood diamonds are defined by diamond mining in a war zone, that people trade the diamonds for guns so then the diamonds go on to be sold to companies.
It was not till January 1999, when people all round the world’s eyes were drawn to Sierra Leone when an armed alliance called the rebels shocked the population, after people read in the media that the rebels had raped, mutilated and murdered civilians. Once the attack in 1999 was finished, it was reported that over 3,000 children were missing. Most likely from being abducted by rebels forced into joining there army.
The situation only died down when the British army got involved. This causing a new concern internationally because the rebels were being funded. The day of July 5, 2000 a ban was imposed on indirect or direct import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone, in hopes to help secure the country and lower the chances of the rebel’s to access foreign currency and arms. After the war had ended in 2002, the diamond industry has given technical assistance and helping train the ministry of mines in Sierra Leone, in setting up a Government diamond offices
In 2003, Sierra Leone joined the Kimberley Process, which is a bunch of governments, civil society, and industry to step up and stop the flow of conflict diamonds. Also the world wide agreement gives certainty that diamonds are from conflict free