The ‘An Yue Jiang’ has not returned to China
The An Yue Jiang is limping back into the news.
Last week we called attention to an article in the Nyasa Times that informed us that Malawi was playing a role in helping to ensure the weapons arrived in Zimbabwe. This news hasn’t been widely publicised on the Internet, but activists reading this blog have been researching independently and Shami advised us that sources she contacted in Malawi were indicating that the news of Malawi’s intermediary involvement might be true. We have to say though that we also received an email from another activist who had contacted the Malawi High Commission - she told us that they had denied Malawi’s involvement. The denial wouldn’t be surprising - if they were involved - but until we have clear confirmation it seems that all we can conclude is that Malawi may or may not be involved.
The Mail and Guardian (SA) has picked up the trail again and today they refer back to the delegation to Angola headed by Mnangagwa (see our previous post on the 25th April), with Malawian connections being referred to again as well as another Zimbabwean name emerging into the open:
Newspaper reports this week said that Malawian and Zimbabwean intelligence officials and politicians made their way to Angola to meet Dos Santos.
The M&G has learned that Mugabe’s right-hand man, Cabinet minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, was accompanied by the country’s top spy, Happyton Bonyongwe, and other security figures on his quest to deliver a “special message” to Dos Santos this week.
“I think people also underestimate the basis of some of our alliances in the region,” a senior Zimbabwean diplomat who was involved in the Mnangagwa mission said. He pointed to a decade-old “military pact” between Zimbabwe with Angola and Namibia.
Many top government officials this week said they believed Mnangagwa would lean on these old military alliances to persuade Angola to allow the release of arms held aboard the An Yue Jiang. (my emphasis)
The same report also refers to an air cargo company that might freight the weapons:
a Chinese air cargo company, MK Air, might be involved in transporting the An Yue Jiang’s arms to Zimbabwe. The MK Air flight lodged a suspicious flying plan from Luanda that might have allowed it time to divert to Zimbabwe, said sources in the arms-control industry.
In the meanwhile, the Angolan transport union Federacao dos Sindicatos dos Trabalhadores dos Transportes e Comunicacoes de Angola (FSTTCA) will apparently refuse to offload the weapons in Angola - this is according to International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
The ITF have confirmed that the ship is still anchored off Luanda, but they report that,
although there were 20 ships waiting to dock in Luanda ahead of the An Yue Jiang, “there is no guarantee that it will not be allowed in ahead of them…”
Nothing is conclusive at this stage, but there are three reasons why this story is important, even if, as we write, more weapons are possibly coming in invisibly via other routes:
- The need to prevent weapons coming in to Zimbabwe is critical: politically motivated and politically directed murders are increasing in Zimbabwe
- As cynical as this may sound, the story galvanises people in a way stories of battered and tortured people cannot; most likely because this is something that people feel they can try and help with and becaiuse they directly associate this ship with those victims.
- For me personally, the story is important because it is also forcing countries in the region to ‘nail their colours to the mast’, so to speak. In the open glare of the public eye, this story shows us which nations are concerned for the safety of the Zimbabwean people, and which ones are more concerned with the loyalty to the Zanu PF regime.
May 2nd, 2008 11:18
Angola and Zim very strong allies especially when it comes to brutality. Malawi is just as passive & docile as other SADC countries like Botswana,Lesotho, etc. .The main hindrance Zimbabweans are getting is from this guy who has no position in ANC & is the outgoing president of RSA, called Mbeki.All efforts we are putting in blocking the ship are being hindered by Mbeki. Please note that when the ship was turned away from RSA, it was mainly because of the resistance offered by Trade Unions and also a belated court order from a Durban Magistrate… The govt of SA had seen nothing wrong with receiving the arms to help Mugabe slaughter his own people… Its time we bark on the right tree. The right one is Mbeki. Mr Mbeki is obliged to solve the crisis in Zim if he is to be labelled a mediator..
May 2nd, 2008 11:34
Look this comment may not be helpful but I often think that there is logic in madness… Robert Mugabe was a great admirer of Juliun Nyere in Tanzania and Julius himself said that 30 years was not long enough to accomplish what he wanted to accomplish….what is Zanu pf under Robert Mugabe’s guidance ultimate goal? If we can understand this then we can perhaps understand what he is trying to do….Know thy enemies…then perhaps we can persuade him that his way is not necessary the only way…So far I haven’t cracked it anyone a fast reader and can see some sense in this madness from that angle…As to loyalties unless you are a true ideologist the ships cargo will go to the bidder offering the most money….the notion that Zanupf’s long term allies will entertain this will depend very much on which country writes the biggest aid cheque…
May 2nd, 2008 12:35
@4th Chimurenga
What worries me is that Mr Mbeki, even though, he is the mediator, allegedly gave the order to allow the weapons to be offloaded.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=338211&area=/insight/insight__africa/
Manuel defies Mbeki on arms
In an apparent revolt against a weakened president senior Cabinet ministers and government officials worked to prevent the Chinese arms ship from offloading its cargo, even as Thabo Mbeki insisted that the mortar bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles be allowed to reach Robert Mugabe’s military.
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, South African Revenue Service Commissioner Pravin Gordhan, director general in the Department of Transport Mpumi Mpofu and officials of the South African Police Service were among the key players in a plan to delay the docking of the ship. They hoped to seize the six containers of weapons on the pretext of customs and shipping technicalities, the Mail & Guardian has learned.
The goal appears to have been to ensure the cargo could not be transported to Zimbabwe.’ etc.
If it is true that it was a direct order from Mr. Mbeki, I have to say that I find it impossible to understand what his role as mediator entails.
May 2nd, 2008 13:06
Thank you for confirming the whereabouts of the “ship of doom”. I thought it had gone too quiet after all the hype and i was doubtful that it had in fact returned to China. The international media has also gone too quiet. Perhaps they are tired of reporting on African issues that just never end.
I’m apalled at the lack of action and international intervention. Surely there is SOMETHING that can be done by UK, USA and the UN???? Something other than lengthy meetings resulting in no more than idle threats. Mugabe is effectively holding the people of Zimbabwe hostage!! And he’s not only holding them hostage, he’s torturing them too. African leaders like Mbeki are ALL bought and paid for. They are not unintelligent where money and power are concerned. That’s been proven time and again. These ‘leaders’ know only one thing : Empowerment of SELF and that is achieved through corruption and brutality. It’s an historical FACT! Mbeki has SERIOUSLY compromised his and the ANC’s status in Africa with this situation. He and Mugabe come from under the same rock!! They are partners-in-crime as Mbeki has clearly revealed.
May 2nd, 2008 13:54
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9507E2DE1130F936A25753C1A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
I truely believe that the philosphies outlined in this articles are the true goals of Southern Africa…to allow Mugabe to continue on his quest will allow Mbeki and his followers to continue on theirs….the ideaology has overtaken common sense ……South Africa is already on the road of land reformation….
May 2nd, 2008 14:35
Any attempts by the western countries to override Mbeki’s mediation will receive massive criticism AND RESISTANCE from SADC. Mugabe will also go to town about it labelling them as colonisers/perpetrators/detractors…. etc. The UK,US,etc cant intervene as long as Mbeki is the stumbling block. Mbeki told them Africa can solve her issues so that he places himself in a strategic & leading role (on behalf of Mugabe) to continue suppressing the people of Zimbabwe. Mbeki is working flat out to ensure those arms are in Zim in preparation for the 4th Chimurenga against civilians.
May 2nd, 2008 16:35
What should we do over here in the US to help with this now? My emails didn’t have much effect. I can call embassies and newspapers. Zim is all over the news in Washington. Just give me some numbers and I will start calling tomorrow when our phone plan is completely free. I’ll call as many people as needed.
Muk
May 2nd, 2008 18:38
How many people - journalists, union members, or anyone else - can we find in Luanda to keep watch on this? I mean, stand around watching what actually gets done whenever the ship comes into port.
I assume the union will be staying on top of it, but their previous comments indicated they wouldn’t know what they were being ordered to unload. Is there any chance they’ll insist on seeing the contents of any container they offload “for delivery within Angola”? They still could refuse to touch anything without knowing what’s in it. They are the only ones with that power.
One more question: does anyone have a good idea of what power the unions *do* have in Angola? How much chance is there that they can simply be circumvented or ignored by the government or others? In SA, the unions had the power to stop this once they were alerted, but I’m well aware that’s not the case in many places in the world. Or at least, that it might require actual fighting to assert the union’s strength.
May 3rd, 2008 00:24
Hi
I still have not heard any further news. I will let you all know as soon as I know anything more concrete.
I am with you rcbowen. I do think we should continue to be vigilant on developments with this cargo. With our african leaders one never knows.
This news that the ship is in Luanda but has not docked is the one of the best things I have heard this week. I am so grateful to the men and women who are affiliated to the international transport union for all their efforts to help the people of Zimbabwe.
On a truly sentimental and heartfelt note I am also moved by the amount of people who have been willing to provide what ever assistance they are able. African and international civil society is something special - even if the authorities behave one way, ordinary people have shown me that there is basic human decency and concern for others.
May 4th, 2008 18:03
Just saw this. Date: 28 April 2008.
EA lawyers to sue China over Zimbabwe
http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/News/newsfc050520080.htm
Lawyers from East Africa and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are seeking legal action against the Chinese government over arms supplies to Zimbabwe.
The East African Law Society and the Law Society of the Southern Africa Development Community say they have finalised preparations to institute legal action at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
May 5th, 2008 08:52
Mbeki along with all others involved in this arms shipment want to rule africa, they believe that by starviing the people they can control. Mbeki is the head name on the paper work for the arms deal in S.A. A 3rd world war will happen & Africa is where it will start unless we the people stand. Mbeki.Mugabe & his counter parties along with their beliefs must be put to rest & let the people decide what they want. Those days of fighting for liberation are long gone it’s time to live & build together as one.
May 5th, 2008 13:29
Very bad news:
———- Forwarded message ———-
Date: Mon, May 5, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Subject: update: arms have reached Zimbabwe
Dear friends,
I am sorry to say that the arms shipment is now in Zimbabwe. We have heard reports that the youth militia have ammunition for their AKs and they’re using them.
Bright Matonga, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister for Information and Publicity, made a statement that ‘in any case that shipment is already in Zimbabwe’, refering to the Chinese arms shipment.
Of course this came as both a shock and disappointment to us all, especially because of the amazing show of solidarity and mobilisation around this lethal cargo.
IANSA members in East Africa are considering starting legal action against the Chinese arms dealers and other members are calling for a campaign to same those in the region who co-operated with the regime. It seems that Angola transported the weapons overland afterall.
May 5th, 2008 13:39
JS: Thanks. This is not good news.
Be cautious though. Bright Matonga is a liar and a statement like this may be just what is needed to make people drop their guard. Is there any way to get credible verification of this?
May 5th, 2008 14:06
Sokwanele: I will ask the source how this might be done.
May 6th, 2008 21:40
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL06712648
China arms ship only unloads cement in Angola-ITF
‘The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), which has been tracking the ship’s movements for weeks, said fellow trade unions in Luanda reported the An Yue Jiang unloading only cement and construction material.’ etc.
(I sincerely hope that Bright Matonga is lying.)
May 6th, 2008 23:47
Just copied this off the facebook group
Hi All,
We have posted an update on the IANSA homepage:
The Chinese ship carrying arms destined for Zimbabwe docked briefly in the Angolan port of Luanda on Monday 5 May 2008.
According to Lloyds Maritime Intelligence Unit, the ship arrived in Luanda at 06.10 on 5 May. It reportedly left only 75 minutes later, and was last sighted at 11.50 on the same day, heading south west at a rate of 10 knots.
The Council of Human Rights and Civil Society (Conselho de Direitos Humanos da Sociedade Civil) in Luanda won a court order on 2 May which prohibits the offloading and transference of the weapons to Zimbabwe. The order also permits the Council’s presence during the inspection of any offloaded cargo.
Read more here: http://www.iansa.org/
-Mark
I hope it’s not gonna sit in the ocean until they think we are not paying attention must see it all the way home……..
May 7th, 2008 11:24
@Mama
Thanks for the update. Good news re the court order! We’ll definitely have to keep an eye on that ship. Heading south west? The Namibian guys will have to be on the look-out, again.
May 7th, 2008 14:24
Tara, Mama:
Contradicting the report saying that the arms had been off-loaded & shipped overland through Angola, indeed my source is also now quoting the International Transport Workers Federation statement. I’m very happy to be wrong!!
Indeed we must keep our eyes on this darn rust-bucket…
===============
We have received the following press release by the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation).
6 May 2008. For immediate release
An Yue Jiang update. Ship makes no attempt to offload arms, trade unions
report.
The ITF and ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) report the
following news received from their fellow trade unionists in Angola:
that the An Yue Jiang has left Luanda after unloading a cargo of cement
and construction material only. No attempt was made to offload any
armaments, and the ship sailed after taking on fuel and food. Trade
unionists, including from the port workers’ union, maintained a watch on
the ship and what came off and went on it throughout its stay in port.
The police were also present.
The ITF will update you with the vessel’s location tomorrow. [7 May]
May 7th, 2008 20:35
Thanks JS!
That ship will remain the most watched ship in history! Hope they can feel it.
May 8th, 2008 15:49
http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,169102,00.html
So our mates are keeping a watchfull eye on it man I will be pleased when its spotted just off the coast of China perhaps a hurrican can sink it……
May 8th, 2008 23:17
http://www.africanews.com/site/list_messages/18125
…
“Satawu can confirm that the An Yue Jiang is still on African shores attempting to off load the controversial lethal weapons destined for Zimbabwe. The latest reports from the ITF, our global trade union federation confirm that she docked in the Port of Labito in Angola and off-loaded building materials only. The report further confirms that the lethal weapons were not handled by Angolan dockers and therefore not off-loaded.,” says Randall Howard the general secretary of Satawu.
“The vessel is now on its way to Congo Brazzaville where we believe a further attempt will be made to off load the weapons. The Durban based ITF inspectorate working with Satawu has been monitoring its movements and will leave for Congo Brazzaville on an urgent basis to ensure that the weapons are not off loaded there.”
Howard condemned both the Chinese government and the Chinese Ocean Shipping Company (Cosco) its owners for pretending that they had recalled the vessel.
“This so-called recall was clearly intended to deceive and remove the massive groundswell of political pressure that had built up in a very short period of time. Both the Chinese government and Cosco have demonstrated that profiteering remains their over riding consideration over human solidarity and saving lives,” he says.
“It appears a judgement call has been made by them to wait around until the Zimbabwean electoral crises is over, it will be a long wait in the context of avoiding a return trip and wasted expenditure.” etc
May 9th, 2008 00:12
http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/219.html
Kaliati threatens Malawi journalists
‘Malawi Minister of Information Patricia Kaliati has accused journalists Kondwani Munthali for Nation publications Limited and Rebecca Chimjeka for Joy Radio Limited saying they are behind stories that exposes government of Bingu Mutharika on Nyasa Times online publication.’
‘She addressed the media together with head of Security Intelligence Services, Clement Kapalamula and rebutted a story which was posted on Nyasa Times a week ago that Mutharika’s government is set to clear weapons for Zimbabwe coming from China.’ etc
May 9th, 2008 00:17
Tara - just in case you think no one in our group isn’t seeing what you’re doing and monitoring, I just want to say we do and we are. We don’t have time to comment on everything but we are grateful that you are taking the time to do so much and haven’t let this story go. I am relaying this back to others all the time. Thank you for the efforts and for your tenacity!
Hope
May 9th, 2008 08:11
@Sokwanele sort of hurts when you only thank Tara…..
May 9th, 2008 09:31
The An Yue Jiang is now believed to be headed towards Congo Brazzaville - Thursday 8 May 2008.
Here is the link to SABC.
May 9th, 2008 10:22
I am sorry Mama, you are quite right: everyone has been fantastic. Its no excuse but I wrote that when I was dog-tired and not thinking clearly after I’d read and followed a bunch of links T had put up everywhere over a whole lot of topics and posts. I think the work done here has been an incredible and moving display of solidarity.
Hope (The Insensitive)
May 9th, 2008 21:43
Everybody has been great, can’t think of a better team. We’re all get a bit tired, now and then. Sorry Mama and {{big hug}}, we both need it.
Well, now I see this… saying that the ship is moving SOUTH?
http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/1952
Press update: latest on An Yue Jiang
9 May 2008
At late morning today the vessel was approximately 120 nautical miles off the coast of Namibia, in international waters, making around 8.5 knots southbound (the slower speed than before is because it is sailing against the Benguela current). The current position as of 16:45 BST today is estimated to be due west of Walvis Bay, but well outside of Namibian territorial waters. If the An Yue Jiang continues at its current speed and course its estimated time of arrival off Cape Town will be late night on Monday 12th May. If it increases speed to 10 knots its ETA would be mid-afternoon on 12th May.
………
Cockroft also dismissed claims by Bright Matonga of Zanu-PF that the arms shipment was in his possession as: ‘laughable; the empty propaganda of someone who, like his leader, doesn’t know when he’s beaten.’
May 16th, 2008 08:25
14 May 2008
An Yue Jiang Position Update
At midday today the An Yue Jiang had rounded the Cape and was south of Port Elizabeth, outside South African territorial waters. The ship is following an ENE course at a speed of around 9 knots
May 17th, 2008 15:21
We’ve just added a post to our blog titled Weapons delivered via the An Yue Jiang have allegedly arrived in Harare
I’m going to close comments on this post and ask you to take the discussion to the latest entry on the story.
Hope