Une Chasse aux Pierres

The document details the systematic exploitation of diamond resources in the Central African Republic by armed groups such as the Séléka and anti-balaka. It describes a sophisticated black market where diamonds are smuggled through neighboring countries and 'naturalized' with false origins to enter international markets. The report criticizes the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process, noting that the partial lifting of export bans through 'compliant zones' may be undermined by internal smuggling and the existence of large stockpiles acquired during the conflict period by buying offices like Badica and Sodiam.

• Armed groups in the Central African Republic, specifically the Séléka, established a parallel administration to systematically exploit the diamond sector through illegal taxes, mining permits, and protection rackets.
• The Séléka leadership used their power to grant unlimited access to diamond mines and the right to sell stones internationally in Sudan, Dubai, Qatar, and China, bypassing the state regulatory body BECDOR.
• Smugglers use a process called 'naturalization' to hide the origin of CAR diamonds, often by declaring them as Cameroonian to facilitate their entry into international markets.
• The Kimberley Process's strategy of creating 'compliant zones' (such as Berbérati, Nola, Carnot, and parts of Boda) to allow partial exports is vulnerable to internal smuggling from non-compliant areas.
• Major buying offices continued to acquire diamonds during the export suspension, creating large stockpiles that may have indirectly funded armed groups.
• International middlemen use digital tools like Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp to coordinate the supply chain from CAR mines to trading centers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

APA

Global Witness (n.d.). Une Chasse aux Pierres. https://globalwitness.org/fr/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/chasse-aux-pierres/

Chicago

Global Witness. Une Chasse aux Pierres. n.d. https://globalwitness.org/fr/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/chasse-aux-pierres/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Witness |title=Une Chasse aux Pierres |url=https://globalwitness.org/fr/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/chasse-aux-pierres/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalwitnessndune, author = {{Global Witness}}, title = {{Une Chasse aux Pierres}}, institution = {Global Witness}, url = {https://globalwitness.org/fr/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/chasse-aux-pierres/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }