Some Will Call it Part of the Conspiracy

3 Responses to “Some Will Call it Part of the Conspiracy”

1. PeacefulVanguard on September 28th, 2006 1:29 am

   Hi Drima,

   I don’t agree with you on this one actually. I just do not think sanctions against Sudan are a good idea because they are not comprehensive or done in a concerted effort by the international community. Sudan, as you know, has a strategic and reliable partner in China. As the US divests from Sudan, all we really are doing is pushing Sudan further into bed with the Chinese govt. rather than cut off economic opportunity for Sudan. Keep in mind that China makes zero human rights requirements on the governments they do business with, so as the USA divests from Sudan, and China invests, we may be institutionalizing the human rights abuses that occur there even more, albeit unwittingly. Divestment also gives us less leverage over the course of time, especially since “he who pays the bills calls the shots.” I just don’t think it is wise to divest from Sudan as long as China and others will pick up the slack. Divestment only works if it’s done together.

   It seems that piecemeal divestment is really a tool for people/entities to use in order to make it seem as if they are doing something when they have no other options. In this case, individually divesting from Sudan gives people and the US govt. something to pat themselves on the back over, but at the end of the day, it probably won’t work, and may turn out to be rather counterproductive. Of course the goal must be to stop human rights abuse in Sudan, I’m just not convinced divestment will do it, and worry it will just disengage Sudan from any discussion about improving human rights altogether since they won’t have any incentive to do so with China, India, and the AL as their major trading partners.

   To be honest, I prefer a different tactic. I would like to figure out how to engage Sudan strategically so that all the people in the country feel as if they have mutual, unbiased partners who are interested in all the people of Sudan winning together. If Darfur’s initial problem was lack of constructive engagement from the govt., how can the international community address that while also helping the rest of Sudan meet their needs as well? This is where I think we need to put our brainstorming efforts.

   These are just my two cents for whatever they’re worth. Thanks.

2. Drima on September 28th, 2006 4:00 am

   I never took the time to think about this one actually but that’s one hell of a good observation

3. The Sudanese Thinker » Stupid Me on September 28th, 2006 7:04 pm

   […] I never really gave the whole Sudan divestment thingy a lot of thought until I read this comment by PeacefulVanguard: Hi Drima, […]

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