Namibia’s Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab has taken a decisive stand by banning an Israel-bound ship laden with military cargo and explosive materials from navigating through Namibian waters or docking at the country’s main port, according to reports monitored here on Thursday.
The MV Kathrin, which set off from Vietnam, had requested permission to dock in the port of Walvis Bay – before sailing north, on a suspected route towards the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Upon the ship’s arrival from Vietnam, Dausab emphasised Namibia’s commitments under international law.
She urged not only the Namibian cabinet but also the ministries of international relations, works, and safety and security to uphold these obligations.
She also called on all countries, particularly African nations, to take similar measures as a sign of the continent’s displeasure with the Zionist state’s military offensive against Palestinians.
The action by Dausab, taken on August 26, aligns with a growing international trend to prevent arms shipments to Israel amid its ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Namibia’s decision is rooted in its historical context and solidarity with Palestine.
The southwestern African nation shares a painful legacy of colonisation, having endured the 20th century’s first genocide at the hands of German colonial forces, which targeted the Herero and Nama peoples.
Following this, Namibia was subjected to white-led apartheid rule by South Africa from 1920 until its independence in 1990.
In January of this year, Namibia expressed its discontent with Germany’s support for Israel in a genocide case brought by South Africa, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding international responses to conflicts involving colonized nations.
JN/APA