Conflict Diamonds

Among naturally forming gemstones, Diamonds are the most sought after because of their brilliance, transparency and, chemical durability and hardness. Widely used in proposals, wedding bands or other romantic gratification, diamonds are common yet uncommon as it has established itself as the most expensive jewel one can buy. However, the sourcing of such precious gem can be controversial because diamonds naturally command a high price, and where there’s a lot at stake, conflict arises.

This is the case with the so-called ‘Conflict diamonds’, also known as blood diamonds. A famous movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the sourcing of these diamonds and a facet of the reality at Sierra Leone, Africa during the period of 1992-2001. The story behind the conflict is the following.

Revolutionary United Front

A rebel military force named ‘Revolutionary United Front’, abbreviated as RUF, was formed in late 80’s-early 90’s launched an attack on towns and villages on March 2001 as a part of a long campaign that would last for almost a decade. Their goals were initially political, however many experts believe the motives are rather economical – the control of the rich diamond fields in Sierra Leone. The force was led by Foday Sankoh, a Sierra Leone born with charismatic and enthusiastic character, he impressed a lot of youngsters with radical tendencies or ideologies.

Subsequently, he visits Liberian leader Charles Taylor, male who previously studied in United States and even served the government of Sierra Leone in his time. Charles, after returning from his education, received guerilla training, and after his successful coup against the Liberian government, establishes himself as the most prominent warlord in Africa. Coercing the people to vote for him in the elections, he rules Liberia as president for 7 years.

Because the diamonds from Sierra Leone is very lucrative for either party, Charles decides to support Foday Sankoh and his RUF in an attempt to destabilize Sierra Leone for diamond smuggling and free labor. RUF used various forms to take control of Sierra Leone during their time, and most of the methods used were downright brutal and inhumane. The rebel group would raid villages and capture children for further brainwashing and training as their guerilla warfighter, women would be mass raped while adult males are decapitated, tortured and killed.

Atrocities committed by RUF were uncountable despite their official statement of mission to ‘oppose a corrupt and tribalistic government for the good of people’. Children who lost their family by the raid would be forced to either become a rebel fighter or become sex slaves if they are females. It is devastating how the mere geographical factor of Sierra Leone having diamond fields can bring such severe implications on its citizens. What is more sickening is the fact that there are people who do not hesitate in enslaving fellow human beings for the sake of monetary desires.

Human rights’ infringements still mean nothing in the large, undeveloped parts of South Africa even today. How is it that we have progressed to the point that automated car-size robots could land on planets light years away and yet we manage to overlook a social problem that should have ceased to exist years ago? Although international organizations attempted to aid the civilians and prevent more brutalities by RUF by sanctioning arms and travel embargoes, they were largely ineffective as the violence continued for nearly a decade under the influential ruling of Charles.

Sierra Leone’s Diamonds

The main sources of funds for RUF were the diamonds. Captured adults were enslaved and forced to perform labor of extracting diamonds from rivers, mines and fields, and kept as prisoner for more work later on. These diamonds originating from Sierra Leone were smuggled across the border and sold to fund RUF’s expenses in purchasing food and illegal arms.

The diamond industry, together with United Nations, introduced a scheme of diamond certification to prevent the trade and sales of conflict diamonds originating from Sierra Leone, but the effectiveness of such measure were unclear, as diamonds are only traceable in its rough, unpolished state. Once it is polished and made into a transparent gem, the geographical origin is untraceable. Many diamonds were sold in other countries and there’s no tangible data to identify how many of these were actually from Sierra Leone.

Conclusion

RUF was disbanded as of 2002, however the civil war and violence started by the group still persists even today. It is disconcerting that the political and economical state in Sierra Leone is still in disarray, confusion and in a chaotic situation. To be honest, I was caught by surprise with this revelation at first since diamonds have always been heavily and excessively romanticized in our society. If I did not watch the movie and delve into their research, I would never thought of linking diamonds to human slavery and civil wars in South Africa. After becoming aware of the issues concerning blood diamonds, I pledge to never possess, buy or receive even one of them since demands will always initiate supplies. I want to believe that awareness is something very powerful and that the illegal diamond industry would be unsustainable if more people were exposed to the harsh reality of its origins.

References

Conflict Diamonds. (21 March, 2001). United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html

The Civil War in Sierra Leone. (n.d.). Afrol News. Retrieved from http://www.afrol.com/News/sil007_civil_war.htm

Sierra Leone. (26 April, 2012). Global Security. Retrieved from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/sierra_leone.htm