Is the World still trading in Blood Diamonds from the Central African Republic?

AIG Appraisal: Diamonds from the Central African Republic (CAR) are reaching international markets despite the fact that trading in rough diamonds from the CAR was suspended by the Kimberley Process in May 2013.

The Kimberly Process http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/ instituted a temporary ban on trading in rough diamonds from the Central African Republic after the Séléka Rebel groups overthrew President François Bozizé, using rough diamond sales from the country’s alluvial mining to fund their operations.

The Séléka Rebels have controlled diamond producing areas in the north since 2010; but now; even after losing in control of the government, they are still in control of large parts of the Central African Republic (CAR). This could become a real challenge to the Kimberley Process stopping the trade of "Blood Diamonds."

The Kimberley Process suspension will remain in place until a review mission to the Central African Republic (CAR) can be carried out, which right now is highly doubtful due to the country’s civil war. Diamond mining along the Boungou River tributaries in the Central African Republic (CAR) are reaching the international marketplace by cross border smugglers into neighboring countries.

World Diamond Council Alert:

https://www.awdc.be/sites/awdc/files/press/Reactive%20Statement%20Antwerp%20diamond%20sector%20steps%20up%20efforts%20in%20combatting%20conflict%20diamond.pdf

The latest report from Belgium: authorities seized rough diamonds that match the production footprint of rough diamonds mined in the Central African Republic (CAR). The World Diamond Council (WDC) said any person or company caught trading in rough diamonds from the Central African Republic (CAR) will be subject to sanctions agreed upon by the WDC.  World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) President Ernie Blom said in an interview that members can be suspended or expelled when caught trading in Conflict Diamonds.

Diamantaire Edward Asscher; the President of the WDC; said in a recent interview; that trading in Conflict Diamonds from the Central African Republic (CAR)  undermines the efforts of the country’s efforts to  restore peace, and challenges the Kimberley Process’s ability to eliminate the trade in conflict diamonds. 

Isn't it interesting that in interview after interview; no one will use the phrase Blood Diamonds, even that phrase is now sanitized, buffed, polished, and changed to Conflict Free Diamonds.

The basic idea of the Kimberley Processes to ensure that consumers can buy verified Conflict Free diamonds. Tracing a diamonds origin in geology that is similar in all of the diamond producing countries in West Africa can be difficult. The Kimberley Process is trying to implement a system dependent on good governance in countries where there is no good governance, countries like Angola, Zimbabwe and the Central African Republic. Can the blood in these conflicts, like the conflict in the Central African Republic be stopped? It will not be as easy as it is to change the phrase Blood Diamonds to Conflict Free Diamonds.