1. What is targeted divestment and how does it work?
   
   
2. Won't targeted divestment hurt ordinary Sudanese citizens?
   
   
3. Won't targeted divestment hurt the divesting institution's finances?
   
   
4. Won't targeted divestment from Sudan trigger an onslaught of divestment requests concerning a whole range of social concerns?
   
   
5. Is there a divestment campaign in my country that I can join?
   
   
6. If there isn’t a campaign in my country or region, can you help me set one up?
   
   
7. How can I find out which companies are being targeted for divestment?
   
   
8. Will this really make a difference?
   
   
   
   

What is targeted divestment and how does it work?

For more information on targeted divestment please visit our “What is Divestment?” page

Won't targeted divestment hurt ordinary Sudanese citizens?

No. We believe that economic investment in a developing country is an important tool for democratization and improved living standards. Companies involved in medicine, education, general consumer goods, agriculture and humanitarian aid are specifically excluded from divestment. Since agriculture remains Sudan's most important economic sector for most Sudanese, employing over 80% of the workforce, exclusion of the agricultural sector from divestment is critical to minimizing harm to innocent people.

The Sudanese government is profiting greatly from oil exports. However, much of its revenues goes towards the military and paying the Janjaweed militia rather than health, education or development projects.

Won't targeted divestment hurt the divesting institution's finances?

The short answer is no. This model of targeted divestment limits the scope of companies and investments targeted, making the plan considerably more acceptable to fiduciaries and trustees.

It is widely agreed that targeted divestment from Sudan would be considerably less risky and costly than the two previous, widely adopted divestments (South Africa and tobacco).

Won't targeted divestment from Sudan trigger an onslaught of divestment requests concerning a whole range of social concerns?

Divestment is an option that should be considered only in the most extreme of circumstances such as genocide or large scale ethnic cleansing – such as we have witnessed in Darfur. Heeding every call for divestment is impractical and imprudent.

Pension fund trustees and fiduciaries should maintain an extraordinarily high benchmark for considering divestment in the future.

Is there a divestment campaign in my country that I can join?

There are divestment campaigns established in a number of countries. To find out if there is a campaign where you live, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , our International Divestment Campaign Leader, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If there isn’t a campaign in my country or region, can you help me set one up?

Yes. We are always interested to hear from people looking to start a new campaign and would be more than happy to advise and offer practical support. . If you are based in the UK, then please contact our UK Divestment Co-ordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . For all other countries, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , our International Divestment Campaign Leader, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How can I find out which companies are being targeted for divestment?

The Sudan Divestment Task Force publishes an updated list of targeted companies which is continuously updated as companies respond to calls for divestment. To receive a copy of this list including the nature of a company’s operations in Sudan, please contact the Sudan Divestment Task Force http://www.sudandivestment.org/

Will this really make a difference?

The Sudanese government have a history of responding to economic pressure as seen in 1997 when the United States imposed sanctions for sponsoring international terrorism by harbouring Osama Bin Laden within Sudanese borders. As a result of the sanctions, Sudan provided the US with information as well as dismantling terrorist networks.

Another key example of the success of this approach is to look at the anti-apartheid campaign in the 1980’s which demonstrated that targeted divestment as part of a wider campaign can make a profound difference.

This is a way that both individuals and groups can effect change, raise awareness of the situation in Darfur and take very practical steps via divestment to put pressure upon the Sudanese government to stop the genocide. Our divestment team will be able to advise and support you in order that your personal or organisational campaign can be as successful as possible. For more information, please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .