Any time a civil conflict breaks out in a diamond-rich country such as the CAR, we are sensitive to the possibility that diamond mining may worsen the bloodshed. In too many countries, diamond mining has contributed to bloody civil wars. In this case, is there reason to believe that the rebels are being financed by diamonds? Unfortunately, yes. The International Crisis Group has documented how, in recent years, diamond mining has been a major funding source for the various rebel groups opposed to the central government...According to the latest reports, the rebels have now formed a loose alliance and together control a large part of the country, including Bria and the diamond-rich areas around it. All of this, we think, raises questions about the role of diamonds in the current crisis, and whether diamonds will help finance it going forward...Should the Kimberley Process...ban diamonds from the CAR? It may need to...This time, the Kimberley Process needs to study the situation more carefully and be ready to enact a diamond ban, especially if that could save lives or prevent an escalation of the conflict...Better regulation could reduce exploitation of diamond diggers and possibly improve their earnings.