The Republic of Angola proposed the continuity of the reforms underway at the Association of African Diamond Producing Countries (ADPA), based on a strategy that obliges members to honour their quotas.

According to the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, the 7th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers of ADPA Association, held by video-conference, aimed at assessing and taking decisions about the management of the organisation.

Diamantino Azevedo considered that ADPA is facing a multifaceted and deep crisis, which in Angola’s view involves taking a decision on the continuity of the ongoing reforms, the salary burden of the organisation’s staff, the continuity or not of the current secretariat as well as the adoption of a strategy to force the members to honour their financial obligations.

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In a press release, made available today to ANGOP, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas considers that it is fundamental to take a decision on the issues listed to define the continuity in ADPA.

At the meeting, the head of the Angolan delegation defended the membership of the Republic of Botswana, one of Africa’s main diamond producers, in ADPA as a challenge for the association.

“Angola reiterates its willingness to continue to host the ADPA headquarters,” if appropriate measures are found and implemented to overcome the constraints identified,” the statement said.

During the proceedings, the organisation’s Council of Ministers approved the termination of the mandate of the then Secretary-General, suspended since 2020, Angolan Edgar de Carvalho and Namibia proceeded to hand over the mantle of the ADPA chairmanship to Tanzania.

Source: Further Africa.