(23rd April 2008) Bishop Kameeta, Vice President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Moderator of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) has expressed his serious concerns as to the shipping of weapons to Zimbabwe in the course of the post election crisis.

In a press statement dated Wednesday, 23 April, Kameeta said he strongly supports legal action of the Legal Assistance Center to stop the shipment of weapons to Zimbabwe. "Allowing weapons to reach Zimbabwe in this highly volatile and tense situation amounts to becoming accomplices in the injustice and violence committed", the well known Anti-Apardheid activist and bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) said.

A Chinese vessel, which is reportedly carrying three million rounds of ammunition, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades and 2,500 mortar rounds was said to be on its way. Zimbabwe's justice minister said it was their right to defend themselves and buy weapons from any legitimate source, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

The President of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa urged other African leaders not to allow the ship to enter their territorial waters, the BBC reported on Tuesday. The ship has already been turned away from South Africa and Mozambique. It was said to be bound for Angola but the US is reported to be pressuring port authorities there and in Namibia not to allow them to dock.The International Transport Workers Federation says it has asked its members across Africa not to help unload the An Yue Jiang, the BBC report says.

"If we just stand by without acting in this situation, we are committing sin", Bishop Kameeta said in his statement. "It is hence my conviction that we as churches cannot be silent and watch, how the situation in Zimbabwe further deteriorates and lives are lost. As Christians we cannot simply walk past the injured and tortured and go about business as usual, while preaching the story of the good Samaritan. The current crisis in Zimbabwe is an extraordinary situation, and needs prayer and concrete action. I therefore hereby call upon all fellow compatriots, the Christian Council and people in the region to do everything in our power to stop the weapons from reaching the Government in Zimbabwe."
 

The statement of Bishop Kameeta is endorsed by the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko. Furthermore it has the support of Bishop Dr Tomas Shivute (ELCIN and Chairperson UCC-NELC) and Bishop Erich Hertel (ELCIN-GELC and Vice-Chairperson UCC-NELC).