United Nations Youth & Student Association of the UK


DARFUR

UNYSA is supporting the work of Sudan Divestment UK (‘SDUK’), which campaigns to induce the Sudanese government into changing its actions in Darfur through the financial pressure of targeted divestment. SDUK believes that the conflict in Darfur is the first genocide of the 21st century.

Government-funded actions have led to the deaths of between 200,000 and 400,000 people, while over 2,000,000 people have fled their homes. Murder, rape and torture are used by Sudanese government-backed militias as instruments of war. The conflict has now spilled over into Chad and the Central African Republic, where militias have attacked refugee camps, as well as local people.

What is targeted divestment?

It costs large sums of money to sustain the operations of the government militia, Sudanese army and air force in Darfur. Much of Sudan ’s government revenue comes from external trade, especially oil. Targeted divestment seeks to withdraw foreign involvement in those sectors which provide revenues directly to the Sudanese government and elite but do not benefit the wider population.

In Sudan these sectors, especially oil, are supported by foreign expertise and investment. These foreign firms raise money from investors and savers in the UK and elsewhere. Cutting these foreign ties will cut the flow of revenue from UK-based pension schemes, companies and investors to the Sudanese government and government-sponsored militias.

The Sudan Divestment UK divestment model targets investment that:

  • contributes to government revenues or to a government-sponsored project;
  • imparts minimal benefit to the Sudanese people; and
  • is not based on a corporate governance policy regarding the Darfur situation.

what can i do?

You can either start a local campaign or can campaign within your university. You could also write to your MP, to find out what they are doing about Darfur. Have a look at the UNA-UK lobbying webpage and the SDUK website for ideas about what you can do to help.

to find out more about Darfur...

Have a look at these websites:

 

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