Leading investors voice concern on situation in Sudan

Leading responsible investors have joined international calls for the full restoration of the democratic transition in Sudan with respect for the rule of law, accountable governance and civic freedoms following the October coup and subsequent agreement between the ousted prime minister and the military.

The 30 institutional investors identify these conditions as essential to a stable, profitable and sustainable business and investment environment, and a democratic, peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Sudan. They call on companies operating in Sudan to take a series of specific steps to identify and manage the heightened conflict risks; to protect and support staff; to avoid inadvertently funding the military and to invest in humanitarian initiatives and long term sustainable, regionally equitable wealth creation in Sudan in conjunction with a restored transition to democracy and a stable institution framework for accountable governance.

Though the situation has improved recently following the agreement between the ousted prime minister and the military key civil society groups who signed the 2019 constitutional documents were not included and it is clear that Sudan’s stability is still in the balance.

The full press release is available here and the statement is still open for signatures here. For more detailed information, please contact [email protected]

Investor signatories:

Boston Common Asset Management

CalSTRS

Calvert Research and Management

Church of Sweden

Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes

Dana Investment Advisors

Domini Impact Investments

Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids

Everence and the Praxis Mutual Funds

Folksam

Lady Lawyer Foundation

London CIV

Maryknoll Sisters

Miller/Howard Investments, Inc.

Natural Investments

Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment

SharePower Responsible Investing

Sisters of Mary Reparatrix

Sisters of St Dominic Racine, WI

Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York

Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Sisters of the Precious Blood

SOC Investment Group

Social Justice Committee of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock

Storebrand Asset Management

Trinity Health

Unitarian Universalist Association

United Church Funds

Zevin Asset Management

Supported by:

Adam Sterling, Founding Director, Sudan Divestment Taskforce

Bennett Freeman, former SVP, Calvert Investments

CSR Strategy Group

Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)

CREA

Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights

Organised by:

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

EIRIS Conflict Risk Network

Investor Alliance for Human Rights