Recent developments surrounding CATOCA and associated diamond projects reveal a clear strategy by Russia to attempt to control the sector, now mediated by the new Omani owner.

Although Oman formally appears as the new dominant player, the reintegration proposals presented by the investor reveal an unmistakable pattern: the systematic reintroduction of executives linked to Alrosa, signaling an attempt to indirectly rebuild the Russian presence that had been dismantled after 2022.

The documents analyzed show that the Omani owner has submitted proposals for the entry of several Russian technicians—all former Alrosa executives—into strategic positions within the Mining Company (SM), CATOCA, and the Luele project.

Among the names put forward is Sergey Chuvilin, a former Alrosa executive, now proposed for the position of Deputy Director-General for Finance, a role that would give him direct access to financial flows and internal decision-making.

Alongside him is Roman Svadchenko, who represented Alrosa at the General Shareholders’ Meeting and is now being suggested for the position of Secretary of the General Meeting, a sensitive position in corporate governance and the management of strategic decisions.

Another name included is that of Akil Zubirt, who has represented Alrosa in Belgium and has direct experience in international diamond trade.

The proposal provides for his integration precisely in this area, which would allow the reactivation of commercial channels and distribution networks previously controlled by Russia.

In addition to these executives, sources also indicate the intention to reintegrate Russian diamond appraisers—professionals who, in the past, appraised CATOCA’s production on behalf of Alrosa—although no names have been identified at this stage.

The pattern is too consistent to be interpreted as a coincidence.

Through the Omani investor, who acts as a formal intermediary, Russia is seeking to reoccupy technical and governance positions that previously guaranteed it direct influence over the production, evaluation, and marketing of Angolan diamonds.

This is therefore a strategic return, carefully disguised under the guise of new foreign management, but which in practice reconstitutes the operational core of the former Russian presence in the diamond sector.