By: James Kamara-Manneh
In a significant development for Sierra Leone’s mining industry, Chief Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Kimberly Certification, made a high-profile visit to the country. His engagements included meetings with key government officials and stakeholders in the mining sector.
Chief Bin Sulayem first met with the Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, discussing matters related to the Kimberly Certification Process Scheme. Later, he convened with the Minister of Mines, directors of the National Mineral Agency, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Chamber of Mines, and industrial diamond miners.
During his address at the National Mineral Agency, Chief Bin Sulayem reiterated his steadfast commitment to enhancing the Kimberly Certification Process. He assured attendees of his dedication to resolving issues concerning certain countries’ attempts to impose export and trade restrictions on natural diamonds, emphasizing the detrimental impact on African Diamond Producing Countries.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s role as a founding member of the Kimberly Certification Process Scheme, Chief Bin Sulayem commended the nation’s support for the initiative. He underscored the pivotal role played by the Kimberly Certification Process in transitioning from a dark history of blood diamonds to a prosperous future in diamond trade.
Furthermore, as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the esteemed Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Chief Bin Sulayem pledged support for Sierra Leone’s broader commodities trading endeavors. He announced plans to return to Sierra Leone with representatives from the world’s largest commodities trading firms, aiming to explore avenues for collaboration in trading various commodities at a global scale.
“In the upcoming months, I will be back here, donning the hats of coffee, cocoa, and raw meats,” Chief Bin Sulayem concluded, expressing his commitment to bolstering Sierra Leone’s position as a significant player in the global commodities market.
Chief Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem’s visit signals a positive step towards strengthening Sierra Leone’s mining sector and its adherence to responsible and ethical diamond trade practices under the Kimberly Certification Process. His pledges of support for broader commodities trading initiatives hold the promise of further economic growth and development for the nation.