Why did UNITA use diamond mines to support its war effort?

During the Angolan Civil War, UNITA utilized diamond mines under its control to generate the revenue necessary to sustain its military operations. By extracting and smuggling these rough diamonds, the rebel group was able to purchase arms and essential war matériel to continue its armed struggle against the government.1234

These stones, often categorized as blood diamonds, were sold to merchants or smuggled into neighboring countries to be integrated into the legitimate global diamond market. This illicit trade provided a critical financial lifeline for UNITA, allowing the group to maintain its resistance even when faced with international sanctions and the loss of other forms of foreign support. The exploitation of these natural resources highlights the destructive role that such commodities can play in fueling prolonged conflicts and causing significant suffering to civilian populations.341