Namibian authorities suspect a ship carrying army cargo for Israel in its ongoing struggle in Gaza has been blocked from docking within the southern African nation.
Namibian Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab informed state media that the ship was intercepted as a result of it “carried explosives and was destined for Israel.”
The “Catherine” departing from Vietnam had utilized to dock on the port of Walvis Bay, then sailed north, and was suspected of crusing to the Mediterranean by way of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Rights teams have warned of potential human rights abuses if Namibia permits the ship to dock.
It was unclear why the ship docked, however ships on lengthy voyages usually cease to resupply, relaxation or unload or load cargo.
In December final 12 months, South Africa, Namibia’s neighbor and ally, filed a lawsuit with the Worldwide Court docket of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide in opposition to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel denies accusations of genocide, calling them “baseless.”
The battle started on October 7 when Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, killing roughly 1,200 individuals and taking one other 251 hostage.
The Israeli army subsequently launched an operation to destroy Hamas, and greater than 40,430 individuals have been killed in Gaza since then, based on the Hamas-governed well being ministry.
In response to the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport), Walvis Bay is Namibia’s largest business port, receiving almost 900 vessels and dealing with roughly 8 million tons of cargo annually.
Ms Dausab informed state media that the MV Kathrin was as a consequence of dock at Walvis Bay from Vietnam on Monday in keeping with Namibia’s assist for the Palestinian individuals and the nation’s name for an finish to violence in Gaza. New Era News Website.
Citing a police investigation, Ms Dausab stated the ship “did carry explosives and was destined for Israel and was due to this fact prohibited from getting into Namibian waters”.
“Namibia abides by our obligations and doesn’t assist or take part in Israel’s struggle crimes, crimes in opposition to humanity, genocide and unlawful occupation of Palestine,” she stated.
Namibian human rights group Financial and Social Justice Belief (ESJT) welcomed the transfer.
ESJT’s Herbert Jauch informed the BBC: “We’re delighted that our authorities has determined to respect worldwide regulation and determined to not take part within the genocide.”
Namport has not responded to the BBC’s touch upon MV Kathrin. Earlier than Ms Dausab’s assertion, the corporate stated it had not but obtained pre-clearance paperwork for the vessel.
Nonetheless, the company pledged to make sure “efficient safety of our territorial waters and ports”.
It additionally expressed assist for Namibia’s “positions and positions on worldwide relations and agreements”.
Namport stated it had not too long ago allowed one other vessel carrying “harmful items” to move by means of Namibian waters with out docking.
