Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab confirmed to the state-run New Era news website that the ship, identified as the MV Kathrin, was halted due to its cargo of "explosive material destined for Israel." The decision was made in line with Namibia's stance supporting the Palestinian people and its call for an end to the genocide in Gaza.
"Namibia complies with our obligation not to support or be complicit in Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, as well as its unlawful occupation of Palestine," Dausab stated. She added that the ship was prohibited from entering Namibian waters following a police investigation confirming the nature of its cargo.
The MV Kathrin, which departed from Vietnam, had sought permission to dock at the port of Walvis Bay before continuing its journey, potentially toward the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar. The reasons behind the ship's docking request remain unclear, though such vessels often stop for supplies, rest, or cargo transfer.
Human rights groups had raised alarms over the ship’s potential docking in Namibia, warning that it could implicate the country in Israeli human rights violations. The Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT), a Namibian human rights organization, lauded the government’s decision to block the vessel.
"We are pleased that our government has decided to respect international law and decided not to be complicit in genocide," said ESJT chairperson Herbert Jauch.
Last week, the ESJT sent an open letter to the National Port Authority, urging them to deny entry to the MV Kathrin. The letter, which was also addressed to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Peya Mushelenga, referenced a similar incident in July when the MV Nordic allegedly transported military supplies from India to Israel via the same port.
Jauch warned in the letter that "by allowing a ship carrying ammunition and equipment that will possibly be used in the commission of genocide, to dock at any Namibian harbor, Namport may be making itself and the country complicit in genocide."
In a related incident earlier this year, the late Namibian President Hage Geingob condemned Germany, the country's former colonial ruler, for rejecting accusations by South Africa against Israel of "genocide" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Namibian presidency issued a statement reiterating its rejection of "Germany's support of the genocidal intent of the racist Israeli state." (ILKHA)