Some European countries are calling for former De Beers employee Simon Gilberts to be appointed Kimberley Process Certification Scheme monitor for Zimbabwe in place of Abbey Chikane, African news sites report.

According to bulawayo24.com, Chikane has resigned from his position as KP monitor, but that report has not been confirmed.

Zimbabwe's Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu has confirmed that Western nations are pushing for Gilberts' appointment but that Zimbabwe opposed it. If he were appointed, Mpofu said, the nation would not cooperate with him.

Mpofu said it was "surprising" that some countries were supporting Gilberts as KP monitor, since "[Gilberts] used to work for De Beers, which spent 15 years looting our diamonds."

Mpofu stressed that Zimbabwe was in compliance with KP requirements and had no need of a monitor.

In March, Kimberley Process Chairman Mathieu Yamba of the Democratic Republic of Congo greenlighted export of Zimbabwe's rough diamonds, which have been under international embargo. Yamba's decision met with strong opposition from a number of KP members, including the US, EU, Canada, and Australia, who argued that the chairman's move was contrary to KP policy, which stipulates that all decisions be taken by consensus.

While the African Diamond Producers Association backed Yamba's decision, the World Diamond Council has advised members to avoid trading in Zimbabwe diamonds and the US has said it will publish the names of any diamond companies dealing with stones from Zimbabwe.