Liberia lifts diamond trade ban

From Monday companies can once again apply for the licence to mine and trade in diamonds, the government in Monrovia has announced.

The United Nations imposed the ban in 2001 after former Liberian President Charles Taylor was accused of using "blood diamonds" to fund wars in neighbouring countries such as Sierra Leone.

Taylor subsequently imposed a ban in order to display his willingness to cooperate with the international community.

Thanks to progress made under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the UN lifted its moratorium in April. Johnson- Sirleaf was elected president two years ago after a 14-year civil war over control of the diamond trade ended.

She said her government wanted to use diamonds to fund reconstruction efforts and not conflicts.

The Monrovia government confirmed that Liberia would adhere to the Kimberley Process, the international diamond certification scheme established in May 2000. The scheme tracks the origin of diamonds on the international market and has 71 members including all major diamond-producing countries and those involved in the trade.

Nearly half of the world's diamonds come from west, central and southern Africa.

Last June the UN nations lifted the ban on tropical wood exports from Liberia.

Taylor is currently on trial at The Hague on charges of war crimes in Sierra Leone. He was indicted in March 2006 on 11 counts related to cruelties committed by the Revolutionary United Front rebels during the 11-year civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone that ended in 2002.

- Sapa-dpa