Recently Zimbabwe and its President Robert Mugabe have had a swirl of controversy surround its diamond mining operations. The Kimberley Process, an international diamond certification scheme, revoked authorized of international sales amid allegations of killings, human rights violations and corruption in the Eastern Zimbabwe diamond fields. A defiant Mr. Mugabe responded with a continued economic determination, telling the joint governmental trade group: “No one should doubt our resolve to sell our diamonds". Shrugging off sanctions and drawing criticism from around the world, Mugabe believes that the diamond sales have "huge potential" to revive the economy.
But should Zimbabwe rely so heavily on its blighted diamond operations to propel the countries prosperities forward? Zimbabwe was once a beacon of transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa, balancing its exports with commodities and a healthy diamond trade-- though after economic decline and recently chronic hyperinflation economic growth, for the current leaders, is a political necessity. Leaning on an internationally criticized diamond operations may not the best long term economic tactic, but it certainly is a move aimed helping Mr. Mugabe cling to power in the short term.
A return to former economic health is the ultimate goal for Robert Mugabe, though some speak of an foreign political coalition to engineer his exit as the only solution. Drawing similarities from neighboring country South Africa, Zimbabwe would likely only prosper with a diversified economy and a leader willing to take those steps. Mr. Mugabe's insistence to continue the sale of his 'conflict diamonds' will almost certainly not lead to prosperity for the country, in its stead he should look to preserve his political power in a more sustainable form of economic growth.
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