Zimbabwe has escaped suspension from the Kimberley Process over blood diamond allegations.

Instead the process has given Zimbabwe eight months to comply with its recommendations.

These include things such as removing the military from the Marange Diamond Fields, but that may be easier said than done as soldiers are reported to control almost all access to the fields these days and may even be involved in mining themselves.

Mines Minister Obert Mpofu's explanation is that Zimbabwe has not had any financial aid to help it comply with the recommendations.

Kimberley’s decision will be good news for the Zimbabwean government, which has always denied reports of killings and rights abuses in the eastern diamond fields.

It will be less welcomed to villagers living near Marange and to rights activists who have put their lives on the line speaking out against the abuses.

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