By Josephine Sesay
Sierra Leone’s minister of mines and mineral resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, who also serves as chairman of the African diamond producers association (ADPA), has called for the preservation of neutrality and integrity within the Kimberley Process certification Scheme (KPCS) during a high-level international meeting in Dubai.
Speaking as chair of the ADPA Pre-KPCS Intersessional Meeting, minister Mattai led Sierra Leone’s delegation in reaffirming the nation’s commitment to a transparent and conflict-free diamond trade, in his address, he warned against the politicization of the KPCS and reminded stakeholders of the scheme’s foundational principles as enshrined in United Nations resolutions and the Interlaken Declaration.
The Kimberley Process must not become a platform for settling geopolitical disputes, Mattai cautioned, we must return to the original vision using diamonds to foster global peace and sustainable development, deviating from this goal undermines the scheme’s credibility and weakens our collective ability to combat conflict diamonds.”
The minister emphasized the importance of the meeting as a moment to renew a shared commitment among diamond-producing nations particularly in Africa to leverage the diamond sector as a driver of peace, development, and economic transformation.
On the sidelines of the forum, minister mattai held bilateral discussions with the current KPCS Chair, H.E. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the two leaders discussed developments in the global diamond market, Sierra Leone’s expanding role within the Kimberley Process, and recent advancements in the country’s mining industry.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s strategic direction, Mattai disclosed the government’s efforts to diversify the nation’s mineral portfolio, noting that while diamonds and gold remain crucial, exploration of critical minerals such as lithium is underway to accelerate economic growth and innovation.
Sierra Leone continues to play a prominent role in the KPCS, holding seats in several of its key working groups, including the working group on monitoring (WGM), the working group of diamond experts (WGDE), and the working group on artisanal and alluvial production (WGAAP). The country also exercises significant influence in regional mineral policy through its leadership in ADPA.
Minister Mattai was joined by Sierra Leone’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Rashid Sesay, reflecting a coordinated diplomatic effort to raise the country’s profile and policy influence in the global mining arena, the Dubai meeting further solidified Sierra Leone’s growing leadership in international mineral governance and its steadfast commitment to a transparent, peaceful, and development-oriented diamond industry.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, May 26TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
