Namibia has prohibited a ship transporting weapons to Israel from entering its territorial waters and the Port of Walvis Bay.
According to reports, Namibian Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab has instructed relevant authorities, including the Namibian Port Authority, to deny entry to the vessel named “MV Kathrin,” which is carrying arms intended for Israel. Dausab clarified that Namibia’s position on the Palestinian issue is well-established. An investigation by the Namibian Police Forces revealed that the ship was carrying explosives meant for Israel, prompting the decision to block it from entering Namibian waters.
Dausab, in her statement, called for an end to violence in Palestine and underscored Namibia’s commitment to international obligations, including those outlined in the Genocide Convention and a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). She reiterated her request for authorities to prevent the MV Kathrin from docking at Walvis Bay Harbor.
Dausab stressed that every nation, especially in Africa, should take a definitive stand against Israel. She highlighted Namibia’s resolve to back the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and criticized the ongoing genocide against them.
The report did not provide details about the ship’s origin.
In response to Germany’s support for Israel while it faces charges of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), former Namibian President Hage Geingob pointed out on January 13 that Germany’s position is morally questionable. He recalled that Germany was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Namibians between 1904 and 1908 and their subsequent forced migration.