Abu A. Brima Named Coordinator of Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition

Sierra‑Leone civil society activist Abu A. Brima has been named coordinator of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, the coalition that monitors the diamond‑sector governance body. Jaff Bamenjo will hand the role to Brima, a transition Rapaport reported was announced by Bamenjo; JCK’s Diamond Shavings industry roundup also noted Brima’s appointment and identified him with the Network Movement for Justice and Development.

The UAE Kimberley Process Office posted a LinkedIn congratulatory message calling Brima “a member of the Coalition since its inception” who brings “extensive experience in #diamond sector governance, and a longstanding commitment to advancing transparency and accountability across the industry.” The Dubai Diamond Exchange posted its own congratulations on Instagram, noting the appointment in a truncated caption that praised Brima’s new role.

The leadership change comes amid a tense governance moment for the Kimberley Process. Rapaport reported that last week’s plenary in Dubai failed to reach consensus on broadening the definition of conflict diamonds, with organizers saying a small number of participants blocked the revision. Jaff Bamenjo captured the civil society reaction when he said, “While not unexpected, it is obviously a massive disappointment for civil society that, once again, the KP has failed to expand the conflict-diamond definition,” and added, “We know we sound like a broken record, and we really wish it were otherwise.”

Industry and governance voices framed the setback as both regional solidarity and procedural failing. World Diamond Council president Feriel Zerouki said, “Most participants stood firmly behind Africa,” and, “The setback came from a few, not from the Process itself. And while they halted progress today, they cannot halt the direction of travel.” KP chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem criticized obstruction, arguing, “A handful of states have imported a geopolitical matter into a mechanism designed to prevent the very abuses they once helped define.”

Abu Brima has publicly urged structural reform of the Kimberley Process. VOA quoted him calling for a comprehensive overhaul: “All the principles, all the procedures will have to be revised, especially to create a proper agenda for reform, to reform those aspects that make KP an impediment to achieve its own agenda. The whole question of conflict diamonds will have to be opened up and broadened.” VOA also cited Brima and other stakeholders as challenging the consensus rule that lets single states block agenda items; the VOA account noted there are 85 participating countries in the Kimberley Process and observed that the current procedure would have prevented putting Russia on the Botswana meeting agenda without unanimous support.

Rapaport further reported changes in KP leadership seats: Ghana received approval as KP vice chair for 2026 and as chair in 2027, while the chair position for 2026 remains open and the UAE serves as this year’s custodian chair. Botswana’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Lefoko Moagi, urged the body to confront difficult questions and rethink decision‑making, saying, “The consensus decision making process would veto power by any individual country that is not comfortable with any decision. That does not help KP to move forward. That needs to be changed.”

Brima’s elevation places a vocal reformer at the helm of civil society engagement just as the Kimberley Process faces pressure to broaden its remit and revise its rules. With industry leaders, ministers, and civil society publicly polarized over both substance and procedure, Brima’s tenure will be measured by whether the coalition can convert public criticism into concrete changes to the KP’s mandate and decision model.