Petition on arms heading for Zimbabwe (set up by IANSA)
The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) is the global movement against gun violence - a network of 800 civil society organisations working in 120 countries to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW).
They have set up a ‘Stop The Zimbabwe Arms Shipment’ petition here. Please sign it and spread word of it widely.
Our consolidated action post on this topic can be found at this link, where there is ongoing discussion from people around the world on things that can be done to stop the arms reaching Zimbabwe.
April 21st, 2008 12:41
please china stop mendling into the zimbabweans affairs, if possible china leave zimbabwe alone so that we sort this mess we are facing which has been caused by you again china.
if possible lets have this sent straight to chinese embassies all over the world
April 21st, 2008 13:04
san: Get off your ass and contact your local chinese embassy then, or are you waiting for others to do it??
Complain about the chinese abuses in Tibet while you are at it.
April 21st, 2008 13:39
I just came across this story from the Association of Zimbabwean Journalists: http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com/story.php?art_id=3991&cat=1
If anyone has any information about the whereabouts of the ship and its plans for docking, please get in touch with ITF: http://www.itfglobal.org email: mail@itf.org.uk
or SATAWU: http://www.satawu.co.za email: finke_sarah@itf.org.uk
April 21st, 2008 14:02
Join this coalition to petition that these arms never reach Zimbabwe and get the International community to take a more active stand against what is happening in Zimbabwe and agains China for trying to fuel an already tense situation.
April 21st, 2008 14:17
Join this coalition??? What coalition? Cry to the international community when it suits you, Why did you not cry for democracy before this ship set sail????
April 21st, 2008 14:24
pliz we dont need your blood arms in zimbabwe.what we need now are election results
April 21st, 2008 14:29
Nyonii / Zongweni: All views are welcome providing they do not undermine Sokwanele’s principles of non violence, equality and justice for all. We do ask however that people engage with each other respectfully and it would be good if discussions were kept constructive.
April 21st, 2008 15:48
Well they have come home to roost, China backed Mugabe in the so called liberation struggle, I think that the Zimbabweans are in a worse position now than they were under Smith.
I had some good friends that were black in Zimbabwe.
April 21st, 2008 17:53
It seems that the trade unions in Angola are speaking out against the arms shipment, and will do everything they can to block it being transported through Angola: http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12264:angola-to-bar-zim-bound-weapons-of-qmass-destructionq&catid=31:top%20zimbabwe%20stories&Itemid=66
April 21st, 2008 19:28
Hope for a future full of love and mercy.
April 21st, 2008 21:19
English version sent to Maersk - AP Moller who are contracted to operate the port of Luanda.
God bless and good luck all.
April 22nd, 2008 10:13
zanu pf is waging war against defenceless people. the writing is on the wall that the mugabe kindom has been weighed and found wanting. let it be highlighted to the whole world that china has joined mugabe in a war against a defenceless people of zimbabwe.
the government of mbeki had aproved the shipment to zimbabwe. he has also joined mugabe in the violation of people’s rights.let it be made clear to mwanawasa and the sadc, the AU and the UN THAT MBEKI HAS JOINED MUGABE TO KILL THE LEGITIMATE GVT OF MDC.
WE THANK THE WORLD FOR CRYING TOGETHER WITH US IN THIS TIME WHEN WORLD LEADERS LIKE MBEKI HAVE TAKEN SIDES WITH A DICTATOR AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
MBEKI HAS BECOME A DISGRACE IN AFRICA AND THE WORLD AS A WHOLE. HE MUST BE RELEIVED OF HIS DUTEIS AS MEDIATOR ON THE GROUNS THAT HE DOESN’T HAVE REQUIRED CAPABILITES.
April 22nd, 2008 11:03
I AM SORRY FOR BEING TOO HASH HERE. BUT THE LOVE OF MY COUNTRY HAS DRIVEN ME TO WRITE THESE THINGS. AS I AM WRITING 10 PEOPLE ARE LYING PERISHED IN THE POST ELECTION GOVERNMENT SPONCERED VIOLENCE. THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND THOUSAND OTHERS ARE LYING INJURED, HEAVILY WOUNDED IN OUR HOSPITALS WHICH ARE SHORT OF DRUGS AND PERSONEL.
IT IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM THESE HABBITS OF A DECAYING REGIME THAT I SPEAK HERE WITH A HEAVY VOICE. MY INTENTION IS TO SPEAK THE TRUTH ON THE GROUND. AS I AM WRITING NOW SOMEBODEY IS PHONING ME TELLING ME THAT A 2YEAR OLD PERISHED IN A HOUSE BURNT BY ZANU PF HOOLIGANS. THE PARENTS MANAGED TO ESCAPE LEAVING THE CHILED ALONE.
GIVEN ALL THESE THINGS MY BODY FEELS LIKE EXPLODING WHEN I RECALL MR MBEKI’S REMARKS THAT THERE IS “NO CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE”.
TO HIM WHEN PEOPLE ARE DYING THERE IS NO CRISIS. WHEN PEOPLE ARE BRUTALISED THERE IS NO CRISIS. WHEN MUGABE IMPORT GUNS WHEN THERE IS NO FOOD IN THE COUNTRY THE MEDIATOR HVE GOT THE GUTS TO STAND IN PUBLIC AND TELL THE WHOLE WORLD THAT THERE IS NO CRISES.
April 22nd, 2008 15:26
As a South African I am deeply ashamed of the stance taken by our president on the Zimbabwe issue and I have forwarded your comment Chava #13 to the BBC and Mail and Guardian newspaper asking the M&G to consider publishing your comment so that your word reaches the world. Your description of the happenings in Zimbabwe defies Mr Mbeki’s denial of the situation currently being played out in your country. In my opinion Mr Mbeki should be ashamed of himself. What does he stand to benefit from his stance and his turning a blind eye to China’s involvement in fuelling the crisis in Zimbabwe?
April 22nd, 2008 16:46
to my fellow brothers and sisters of zimbabwe all what we want at this time in moment is to have peace prevail in all the four corners of our country.You will all agree with me and others who share the same thoughts, what we saw before the elections and after this is enough to bring all the people of zimbabwe together and lets talk sense and map the best way foward for our country as for my fellow brothers or sisters nyonii and zongweni lets bury our differences wether its on tribal grounds or in what ever way the country at this time needs your foward thinking it needs mine too so lets get on with it.
April 22nd, 2008 18:33
Everyone talk to your Army friends and say: Put down your weapons - this is your country too! Enough is Enough!!
April 23rd, 2008 11:45
If this ship is off the Namibian coast, it is known that there are many Chinese in Namibia, or at least that Namibia is pro-China. All the more reason to be stopped, as once on shore they will surely find a way to get through. It is time the West did something rather than just make statements.