Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Kimberly process: neocolonialism alive and well

Kimberly process: neocolonialism alive and well
FEATURE by Mukanya Makwira
Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:07:00 +0000

THE continued intransigent behavior by African Consolidated Resources (ACR) plc of throwing spanners on potential investors in the Marange diamond fields has thrown into focus the real meaning of the impending commemoration of the Heroes' Day celebrations. It has also brought to the fore the hitherto purpose of the visit by the Kimberly Process some weeks back.

Several foreign investors have shown willingness to invest in the diamond fields. According to finance minister Tendai Biti, the fields have the potential to solve three quarters of the country’s budgetary needs. However, the potential has remained just that due to the incessant threats by ACR on the potential investors.

The ACR chief executive Andrew Crarnswick is said to have told the investors to stop dealing “with the dangerous issue”. Since when has been an investment dangerous? Probably he knows better.

In a rather bullish and arrogant tone, he is said to have further boasted that the country was under United States of America and European sanctions, a fate that would befall anyone who dared to take a stake in the fields.

As to why the EU or any other individual country would take such any action has all to do with the continuity of neo-colonial hegemony over African resources in several African countries despite proclamations of independence and self-governance.

Mr. Crarnswick did not even hide the fact that their LONDON lawyers were waiting to sue anyone who decided to go against his warning. Is it not a subject of great consternation to every African and especially those who fought for the liberation of this country and the continent that issues to do with who has to invest in the country are decided in the Western capitals, far from the glee and influence of the owners of the resources.

At a glance, Murisi Zwizwai, the deputy minister of mines and mining development and Patrick Chiadzwa, headman Chiadzwa seem to be two strange bedfellows.

The duo have, however, found themselves conjoined at the wrong end of the stick, under attack from the very elements that have always been bent on discrediting the country, this time using the Kimberly Process to protect their kith and kin’s interests.

The Kimberly Review Process team that visited Chiadzwa has since published a damning preliminary report that refers to “horrific violence”, and recommended that operations cease until further notice.

As per Cranswick’s revelations, the whole scene was pre-planned.

In pursuit of their agenda, the Kimberley Process team had the neo-colonial implants in the team, Brad Burns of the United States department, Cecilia Gardener from the World Diamond Council and Abdul Omar from the Canadian government, came with a predetermined outcome and were prepared to go to any length to rubber stamp it.

Of interest in the whole saga was the active involvement of prominent MDC activist Newman Chiadzwa. This followed the public rebuke of Zwizwai by his party, the MDC-T, accusing Zwizwai of being economic with the truth for daring to confront the truth.

Prior to the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), the MDC-T, together with their alliance partners, all creatures of the very Western machinations, like the Zimbabwe lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Human Rights Watch called for the banning of the sale of Zimbabwe diamonds alleging that atrocities of “genocidal” proportions were occurring in Marange.

They depicted a virtual war zone with some “civic organizations” claiming that up to a thousand people were killed by the security forces and buried in mass graves. Much to their annoyance, the purported mass graves could neither be found by the fact finding team nor located by the elements that claimed they knew where they were located. The purveyors of falsehoods had hoped that the team would not be allowed access to the fields so as to save them from the embarrassment.

What happened at the Holiday Inn in Mutare removed all doubt as to who was behind this and and the intentions thereof. In the so-called review meeting, held in the wee hours of the night, interestingly chaired by Newman Chiadzwa, they tried tom coerce headman Patrick Chiadzwa to accept confirm the existence of mass graves in the area.

They claimed that they had evidence that corroborated their claims from villagers. Newman had the temerity to indicate that he personally saw thirty panners killed by a firing squad led by one superintendent Ndlovu. Surprisingly, his alleged “confessions” could only be corroborated by him alone.

Whilst ACR want to be viewed as victims of “state grabbing” of private property, there are more questions than answers that need explanation. The company has held the claim since 1974 and claim to have only commenced operations three years ago. Why were they not operating all along? Why didn’t they declare the proceeds of their operations?

Is this not holding a country to ransom or they were waiting for “their government” assume the reigns of power?

Remember, this is the same company that was alleged by media reports to have entered into massive deals with the MDC-T treasurer Roy Bennett soon after the March 2008 elections.

What had been the company’s role prior to the elections? Was it not one of the companies along with the likes of Anglo-American Company and British American Tobacco (BAT), who provided the repressive Rhodesian regime with the life blood until 1980? Are we seeing a return to the Rhodesian times?

The coincidence is just too much to ignore.

Such lack of transparency in the mining sector has been the reason why the government has been calling for increased local ownership of resources. The country is literally stagnant due to lack of funds whilst some British company is busy siphoning or holding on to a valuable claim with potential to ease the financial burden.

It will be also of immense benefit to Zimbabweans if the company could please tell the nation as to how much it paid for the diamond fields for which they are only willing to dispose at “top dollar”, as Cranswick said.

Are we reliving the age of colonial expropriation of our resources for a pittance?

So, the Kimberly process has to be put in its proper perspective. The process, far from trying to bring the sector into the “wild west of Marange” was put in motion to stampede the country’s attempts to attract investment on the diamond fields in a bid to protect ACR.

If it was all about Marange, why ban diamonds from Murowa mines in Zvishavane and River Ranch in mine Beitbridge?

The gallant sons and daughters who fought for the liberation of this country sought to remove the daylight injustices that unfortunately continue to receive favour amongst some political players in the country. As the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently said, it is up to us Africans and indeed Zimbabweans to chart our own destiny as the West will never do us such a favour.

Labels: AFRICAN CONSOLIDATED RESOURCES PLC, BLOOD DIAMONDS, DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS, MARANGE DIAMOND FIELDS, NEOCOLONIALISM

posted by MrK @ 2:19 PM