The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has reportedly openly declared support for bringing Zimbabwe into international diamond trade.

The news followed reports that Kimberley Process-appointed monitor Abbey Chikane has gone against the watchdog’s standards by unilaterally certifying Chiadzwa diamonds for sale.

According to The Zimbabwean, the decision – when coupled with the AWDC's efforts to save Zimbabwe from diamond trade embargo – is said to have put the future of the Kimberley Process in doubt.

Following a visit of diamond industry officials to Harare, Zimbabwean Minister of Mining Obert Mpofu told the Herald, that the mission, which included leading diamond dealers from the US and Canada, had showed willingness to buy Zimbabwe's diamonds regardless of KP approval.

Mpofu added that unless the KP made distinction between politics and economics it would survive, warning that not work, and warned that Harare had the power to “make or break the KPCS.”

“The biggest enemy of the KPCS is the politicization of the organization,” he added.

The minister urged the AWDC and Zimbabwean diamond trade sympathizers to "play a constructive role in ensuring Zimbabwe freely trades in its diamonds."

AWDC president Nishit Parikh, whose delegates took part in the recent mission to Zimbabwe, said the group "would like Zimbabwe to be successful. We are here to offer our services in whichever way we can for you to be part of the diamond community.”

About 80% of the world’s diamonds pass through the AWDC, and its daily trade averages $200 million. Chikane’s reported unilateral decision to certify controversial Zimbabwe diamonds is now regarded as a worrying development among industry circles.