August 09, 2026 08:22 pm (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
Iran releases new video of Mojtaba Khamenei amid health speculation
Sun, Aug 09 2026
Kyiv hit again: Child among three killed in Russian drone strikes, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says
Sat, Aug 08 2026
Thailand school bloodbath: Suspect killed grandparents before attack that left six dead
Fri, Aug 07 2026
Horror in Thailand: Teacher among 2 killed in deadly school shooting
Fri, Aug 07 2026
Iran's President meets Mojtaba Khamenei in 'darkened' car, later asks: 'Was it really him?'
Thu, Aug 06 2026
Princess Isabella makes history as first Danish royal woman to begin full military service
Wed, Aug 05 2026
Zelenskyy shares chilling video of Russian drone 'hunting' civilian in human safari attack
Wed, Aug 05 2026
Why is Nauru now called Naoero? All you need to know
Tue, Aug 04 2026