Namibian authorities suspect a ship carrying military cargo for Israel in its ongoing war in Gaza has been blocked from docking in the southern African country.
Namibian Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab told state media that the ship was intercepted because it “carried explosives and was destined for Israel.”
The “Catherine” departing from Vietnam had applied to dock at the port of Walvis Bay, then sailed north, and was suspected of sailing to the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Rights groups have warned of potential human rights violations if Namibia allows the ship to dock.
It was unclear why the ship docked, but ships on long voyages often stop to resupply, rest or unload or load cargo.
In December last year, South Africa, Namibia’s neighbor and ally, filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel denies accusations of genocide, calling them “baseless.”
The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking another 251 hostage.
The Israeli military subsequently launched an operation to destroy Hamas, and more than 40,430 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-governed health ministry.
According to the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport), Walvis Bay is Namibia’s largest commercial port, receiving nearly 900 vessels and handling approximately 8 million tons of cargo each year.
Ms Dausab told state media that the MV Kathrin was due to dock at Walvis Bay from Vietnam on Monday in line with Namibia’s support for the Palestinian people and the country’s call for an end to violence in Gaza. New Era News Website.
Citing a police investigation, Ms Dausab said the ship “did carry explosives and was destined for Israel and was therefore prohibited from entering Namibian waters”.
“Namibia abides by our obligations and does not support or participate in Israel’s war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine,” she said.
Namibian human rights group Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT) welcomed the move.
ESJT’s Herbert Jauch told the BBC: “We are delighted that our government has decided to respect international law and decided not to participate in the genocide.”
Namport has not responded to the BBC’s comment on MV Kathrin. Before Ms Dausab’s statement, the company said it had not yet received pre-clearance documents for the vessel.
However, the agency pledged to ensure “effective security of our territorial waters and ports”.
It also expressed support for Namibia’s “positions and positions on international relations and agreements”.
Namport said it had recently allowed another vessel carrying “dangerous goods” to pass through Namibian waters without docking.
