Workers block Zimbabwe arms ship, the power of people to make change

From Avaaz,

Mugabe’s government has unleashed a brutal campaign to retain power. Even as the Zimbabwe crisis worsens, an extraordinary solidarity movement has taken hold across Southern Africa. Last week, a Chinese ship carrying 77 tonnes of Zimbabwe-bound weapons and ammunition docked in Durban, South Africa–but, refusing to aid Mugabe’s crackdown, the dockworkers refused to unload it. Unions, churches, and legal groups throughout Southern Africa quickly mobilized; the ship was forced to leave the harbour, and other ports in the region are vowing to block the weapons as well.

Their refusal to facilitate Zimbabwe’s crackdown has ignited a wildfire that is spreading across the continent. Now, as pressure builds, China is publicly wavering–and might decide to bring the arms home.

The Chinese arms ship is now sailing up the Western coast of Africa. Union officials tell Avaaz that it could stop in Namibia to refuel, but is probably headed towards Angola. Time is short. A strong international outcry now can help support the groups in both countries–dockworkers, NGOs, and church leaders–who are working to block the weapons and support Zimbabwean human rights.

There is more at stake here than the weapons in this ship. Together, we can build a consensus that Zimbabwe should not be sold ANY weapons in this time of crisis–and in the longer term, we can build momentum for a strong international Arms Trade Treaty. Moreover, stopping the flow of weapons provides a concrete, immediate step that leaders in the region can take on Zimbabwe–paving the way for stronger actions in coming days and weeks.

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Usually I stay out of things I don’t know enough about, but I get the impression that this Mugabe person is really not good and as a so called democratic leader, why does he threaten and abuse the people? I think he is really hurting people just so he can stay in power. “ In the The Daily Telegraph of London, Mugabe was criticised for comparing himself to Hitler. Mugabe was quoted as saying “This Hitler has only one objective: justice for his people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of his people and their rights over their resources. If that is Hitler, then let me be a Hitler tenfold.”