UN Urges Sierra Leone to Strengthen Illegal Diamond Controls

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(Rapaport…August 30, 2002) Members of the UN Security Council said that Sierra Leone still has problems controlling illegal diamond production and smuggling.

Council members made their comments during the fourth review of the Sierra Leone Diamond Certification Process. Members urged the Sierra Leone government to strengthen its monitoring efforts to prevent renewed activity in the trading of conflict diamonds.

The Sierra Leone Sanctions Committee recently reminded member countries of the UN not to import rough diamonds from the country unless it was accompanied by a government certificate.