The An Yue Jiang, its cargo, and a context of rapidly escalating violence in Zimbabwe
The location of the An Yue Jiang is leaving me very confused. Initially it was heading for Mozambique, then all reports suggested Luanda.
But The Times in South Africa have now suggested that the ship is unlikely to have enough fuel to reach Luanda, so may be forced to pull into another port en route for refuelling.
Jasa [Justice Alliance of South Africa] on Sunday urged the port authorities in East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town to be on their guard lest the ship tries to obtain fuel surreptiously.
Meanwhile, the Lloyds Vessel Casualty register indicates that the ship registered as a casualty five hours ago.
What does this mean? Is it possible that the ship has run out of fuel already? Is it all adrift on the open seas?
If so, what happens when a ship runs out of fuel at sea?
Does a tanker head out to give it fuel? If that’s the case then I’m wondering if this is a sneaky way to avoid heading into a port where the goods will be seized… ? Because apparently that is what will happen if the ship heads towards another South African port:
Should the ship re-enter SA territorial waters, she should be arrested by the SA Navy, escorted into harbour, and the High Court order taped to her mast.
“The arms must then be put in bond until assurances are obtained from the Chinese Government that they will be returned to China. Any promise from the ship owner is insufficient as it becomes unenforceable the moment the ship leaves SA territorial waters.
“The captain may say he is going home and yet immediately sail for Angola once he has fuel in his bunkers.”
Wild speculation aside, the context of the An Yue Jiang story and the weapons it carries has to be seen in the context of rapidly escalating violence in Zimbabwe.
The MDC held a press conference earlier today where they said that ten members of its party had been murdered, four of them in the last few days. In addition to this at least 3,000 people have been internally displaced while scores of others have been injured by soldiers.
The MDC is using strong language to describe what is happening: Tendai Biti described Zimbabwe as being in “a war situation“.
When you read this article on the Independent Online, written by Peta Thornycroft it would be difficult to write off the use of the word ‘war’ as hysterical hyperbole. Her article is long, and it carefully details all aspects of the strategy that has been set in place, and is currently underway, to ensure Robert Mugabe stays in power. Read this in conjunction with our post titled Mugabe’s run-off rigging strategy leaked posted last week.
The weapons are a part of that narrative, and that is why they are needed: to brutalise the opposition, and cow a civilian population into submitting to Robert Mugabe’s will.
The Chinese foreign Ministry has commented on the shipment and, despite knowing all we know about China’s poor human rights record in their own country, it still amazes me that a spokesperson cannot see the inherent contradiction in this statement:
“China and Zimbabwe maintain normal trade relations. China has always had a prudent and responsible attitude towards arms sales, and one of the most important principles is not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.”
How can selling arms to a country that is using them against a civilian population ever be justifed, and how can it ever be described as part of a “responsible attitude towards arms sales”?
The Times also has an article that claims that Zimbabwe “is being forced to buy weapons because its own arms company has collapsed to the point of making coffins rather than weapons”. They should stick to coffins: with a life expectancy of 34 for women and 37 for men, our people need coffins more than they need guns at this stage.
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April 20th, 2008 17:27
The closest port that the ship can be fueled is the Maputo harbour. Angola is just too far. The ONLY reason why the media has suggested that the ship was going to Angola was when the Mozambican Transport minister said that they weren’t expecting it. Yes its true they are not expecting it since it was destined for Durban however who has got UNDENIABLE evidence that the ship won’t offload in Maputo.I have developed an attitude to never trust anything said by these SADC countries
April 21st, 2008 03:39
MISSING:
Giant Chinese ship. Filled with Chinese arms. Chinese crew. Headed to China oil client Angola. To be shipped by China-repaired railroad to a country to commit massive human rights abuse. If spotted, do not interfere in another country’s internal matters.
Sounds like another Olympic scandal headed China’s way just when the Olympic torch controversy is dying down. Luanda, or Maputo? Sure would be great to find this missing ship.
April 21st, 2008 06:16
The Lloyds register has a new entry for that ship, dated 2 hours ago, listing it as a casualty off the East African coast. This suggests that although it was said by the Mozambican minister for transport, to be heading for Luanda, Angola, it was actually steaming for a Mozambican port, since Mozambique is has an East African coast and not Angola. The closest port to Zim is in fact Beira in Mozambique, 290km from Mutare, Zim. In this context the reported presence of 10 Chinese soldiers in Mutare is also interesting. Perhaps the Mozambicans were reluctant to allow in the ship and gave the reason that there was no prior arrangement, so the emergency is a way to let it dock in Mozambique, for emergency reasons. What then happens to the cargo?
April 21st, 2008 07:21
I have started a cause on the social networking site Facebook, in support of your Take Action campaign. Those with Facebook accounts can join the cause to discuss the topic and organise action:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/causes/show/81453
April 21st, 2008 20:56
[...] the An Yue Jiang actually make it to Angola or will the ship be forced to stop and refuel first? This is Zimbabwe offers interesting commentary on that and everything else. Whoever is at the healm probably hopes [...]
April 21st, 2008 21:46
Sign the petion at
http://www.iansa.org/
it looks well organised…
April 21st, 2008 23:48
Brave souls who wish to contact this ship directly can do so on the following satellite numbers… I’m not that technically knowledgeable, but with a normal phone, it is possible to put a trace on the number and triangulate it’s position. Is it possible to do the same here?
Vessel Name Flag Type System
AN YUE JIANG CHINA (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF) TRADING INMARSAT C SYSTEM
Numbers: 441203610 [Inmarsat C Text / Data]
ANYUEJIANG CHINA (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF) TRADING INMARSAT C SYSTEM
Numbers: 441203611 [Inmarsat C Text / Data]
AN YUE JIANG CHINA (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF) TRADING INMARSAT C SYSTEM
Numbers: 441203613 [Inmarsat C Text / Data]
ANYUEJIANG CHINA (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF) TRADING INMARSAT FLEET
Numbers: 600324641 [64Kbit/s ISDN Data]
600324642 [High Quality Voice]
600324643 [High Quality Audio (3.1Khz)]
763669236 [Voice Service]
763669237 [2.4Kbit/s Fax]
Showing matching number(s) 1-8 of 8
April 22nd, 2008 21:09
You can leave a complaint with the owner of the ship An Yue Jiang here: http://www.cosco.com/en/services/online.jsp
April 24th, 2008 05:06
[...] And no, I don’t have the answer. I wish I did. And China…what’s with China? And Chinese arms going to Zimbabwe? Huh? And the Olympics? [...]