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Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are diamonds that are used by rebel groups to fuel conflict and civil wars. They have funded brutal conflicts in Africa that have resulted in the death and displacement of millions of people. Diamonds have also been used by terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda to finance their activities, and for money laundering

The Devastating Impacts of Conflict Diamonds 
Angola

• Civil War: 1961–2002
• Cost at least 500,000 lives. Thousands suffered maiming by landmines
• Rebel Group UNITA controlled 60–70% of Angola’s diamond production.
• UN Security Council diamond sanctions imposed in 1998, lifted in 2002. DRC
• Civil war: 1998–2003 with continuing insecurity in east
• Estimated cost of over 3 million lives
• Rebel groups supported by neighbouring countries competed for resource-rich diamond areas in north-east. The UN sanctions on diamonds were never imposed.


Sierra Leone
• Civil war: 1991–2002
• Cost at least 50,000 lives. Civillians suffered killings mutilation, rape, torture and abduction.
• Rebel group Revolutionary United Front was mining up to $125 million of diamonds annually.
• UN Security Council diamond sanctions imposed in 2000, lifted in 2003.


Liberia
• Civil war: 1989–1997, 2000–2003
• Cost at least 200,000 lives.Widespread human rights violations committed by all sides and 1
million displaced.
• Conduit for RUF diamonds and arms imports.
• UN Security Council diamond sanctions imposed in 2001, reapplied  annually and most recently in 2006


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