Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera has expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia’s pivotal role in helping lift restrictions on the country’s diamond exports.
On Monday, the Russian embassy in CAR shared details of the letter, which was sent following a Kimberley Process Plenary meeting on November 15 in Dubai. Last Thursday, all restrictions on the export of diamonds from the African state were lifted.
Touadera specifically acknowledged the contribution of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and the ministry staff, along with Russian experts operating within CAR.
“The lifting of restrictions on diamond trade will create favorable conditions for CAR’s stable economic development and improve the living standards of its population,” the embassy’s statement reads.
The diamond embargo on the African state, imposed in 2013 under the Kimberley Process, restricted exports from 16 of the country’s 24 diamond-producing areas due to conflict. In 2016 and 2018, the embargo was partially lifted, allowing exports from five designated conflict-free zones.
The Kimberley Process, a global initiative involving 85 member states launched in 2000, “unites administrations, civil societies, and industry in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds – ‘rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments’ – around the world.”
In a phone call on Wednesday, Putin and Touadera discussed various aspects of their bilateral relationship, according to the Kremlin.
“The discussion focused on the current state and prospects for further development of friendly bilateral relations in political, trade, economic, humanitarian, and other areas,” the Kremlin press service reported.
Counterterrorism efforts and regional stability were also key topics during the conversation. Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting CAR in bolstering its security and economy.