April 14, 2026 09:39 am (IST)
Follow us:
Cote d'Ivoire: UNSC lifts diamond ban, tweaks arms embargo
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday voted unanimously to lift a ban on importing rough diamonds from Cote d'Ivoire and to partially lift the arms embargo, differentiating between lethal and non-lethal arms.
In a resolution adopted at UN Headquarters in New York, the Council extended until 30 April 2015 sanctions first put in place in 2004 against “the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the West African nation, from their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and any related material.”
The Council also decided to exempt from the embargo supplies to the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the French forces who support them.
Supplies of non-lethal equipment which would enable the Ivorian security forces to use “appropriate and proportionate force while maintaining public order” would no longer require notification to the Sanctions Committee. Nor would any technical assistance, training or financial assistance used for the same purpose.
Shipment of heavy weapons will still require advance approval by the Sanctions Committee, while shipment of small calibre lethal equipment simply requires Côte d’Ivoire to notify the Committee.
The Council decided to continue financial and travel measures in place until 30 April 2015.
The changes are the result of a review of the embargo in light of progress made in the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of combatants as well as security sector reform (SSR), national reconciliation and the fight against impunity.
The 15-member Council also unanimously agreed to terminate sanctions imposed in 2005 on diamond imports from Côte d’Ivoire. The decision was made “in light of progress made towards the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) implementation and better governance of the sector.”
The Kimberley Process, established by the UN General Assembly in 2003, aims to prevent so-called “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream.
The resolution also requests Côte d’Ivoire to update the Sanctions Committee on its progress in implementing its action plan to develop its diamond sector, including enforcement of illegal smuggling and reporting from financial flows of diamonds.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Kim Jong Un watches as North Korea fires cruise, anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer
Tue, Apr 14 2026
Deal blows up: Netanyahu-Vance call triggers US-Iran blame war
Mon, Apr 13 2026
No port in Middle East will be safe: Iran issues chilling warning after US blockade announcement
Mon, Apr 13 2026
After 40-day closure, Abu Dhabi’s BAPS Temple set to reopen — What devotees need to do?
Mon, Apr 13 2026
From 18 to 87: Over 500 arrested in London for backing banned group
Sun, Apr 12 2026
'Untrackable' mines block Hormuz: Iran faces challenge in reopening strategic waterway
Sat, Apr 11 2026
UK horror: Man drowns during Baptism ceremony, pastor faces charges
Fri, Apr 10 2026