Luanda: Kimberley Process (KP) chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem has continued his tour of Africa, having recently visited two founding KP countries – Angola and South Africa.

Bin Sulayem met with Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos as well as South African mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, in which they discussed the progress that diamond producing nations are making with Kimberley Process mandates. Trade figures of the UAE’s rough diamond imports over the past three years, has seen Angola consistently in the top five countries, with 2015 showing imports from Angola in excess of 6 million carats.

The KP chair discussed the situation in Central African Republic (CAR) – which he visited earlier in the month – with the African leaders, as well as an update on the progress made with regard to Venezuela.

“We look forward to take up the lead of the Working Group for Monitoring from 2017, and will work together hand in hand to improve the great work the KP has done since its inception,” said Zwane.

Bin Sulayem said that he would continue to prioritize continued strengthened relationships being built with African states during the remainder of his tenure. He plans to make future similar visits as part of the Africa initiative.