NTLA remains steadfast on reparations
... despite political shifts in Germany
The NTLA says it will continue putting pressure on Germany.
The Nama Traditional Leaders Authority (NTLA) says it has never been motivated by who holds power in Germany when advocating for reparations for the descendants of the Nama and Ovaherero genocide victims.
Nevertheless, they said they are pleased that the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) did not win a majority in Germany's just-concluded elections.
The AfD finished behind the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Sunday's elections and is expected to be called upon by the CDU to join a coalition, casting uncertainty over the deal that was concluded with Namibia in 2024.
In January, Namibian Sun reported that Cabinet had allegedly directed that the joint declaration between Namibia and Germany on reparations for the Nama and Ovaherero genocide be signed before March 2025.
According to the document seen by Namibian Sun, the deal is to be signed by Namibia’s international relations minister Peya Mushelenga and Germany’s foreign affairs minister Annalena Baerbock and was expected to be tabled in the German parliament by the end of January. This, however, did not materialise.
Push continues
Maboss Johannes Ortmann, the technical advisor for the NTLA, told Namibian Sun yesterday that they will continue putting pressure on Germany.
“NTLA’s position has not been based on the political landscape of Germany. However, we obviously follow the global politics and the rise of the far right, so it was no surprise to us when we saw the outcome," he said.
"We will see who they form a coalition with. The Greens, before they got into office, promised to push for reparations, but when they were in power, they changed their position. We are just happy the far right did not win overall, but we will continue to put pressure on Germany,” Ortmann confirmed.
'Other priorities'
Germany’s offer remains at €1.1 billion (approximately N$18 billion) over 30 years, despite the affected communities demanding N$1.1 trillion. The draft, however, pledges additional funding for upliftment, reconstruction, reconciliation and development.
In January, an article in 'The Conversation' magazine pointed out that after the German government’s collapse, the implementation of the reparations will depend on the German Bundestag's endorsement.
"German policy might have other priorities. The declaration has never been supported by all parties. Notably, the Liberal Democratic Party (FDP), which brought about the government’s downfall, avoids any reference to colonialism in its election manifesto. A further wrinkle is that Germany is currently preparing an official apology for President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Namibia will review it before it is finalised. If all goes to plan, the German president will then formally tender an apology to the affected communities. But at a location of their choice?"
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Nevertheless, they said they are pleased that the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) did not win a majority in Germany's just-concluded elections.
The AfD finished behind the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Sunday's elections and is expected to be called upon by the CDU to join a coalition, casting uncertainty over the deal that was concluded with Namibia in 2024.
In January, Namibian Sun reported that Cabinet had allegedly directed that the joint declaration between Namibia and Germany on reparations for the Nama and Ovaherero genocide be signed before March 2025.
According to the document seen by Namibian Sun, the deal is to be signed by Namibia’s international relations minister Peya Mushelenga and Germany’s foreign affairs minister Annalena Baerbock and was expected to be tabled in the German parliament by the end of January. This, however, did not materialise.
Push continues
Maboss Johannes Ortmann, the technical advisor for the NTLA, told Namibian Sun yesterday that they will continue putting pressure on Germany.
“NTLA’s position has not been based on the political landscape of Germany. However, we obviously follow the global politics and the rise of the far right, so it was no surprise to us when we saw the outcome," he said.
"We will see who they form a coalition with. The Greens, before they got into office, promised to push for reparations, but when they were in power, they changed their position. We are just happy the far right did not win overall, but we will continue to put pressure on Germany,” Ortmann confirmed.
'Other priorities'
Germany’s offer remains at €1.1 billion (approximately N$18 billion) over 30 years, despite the affected communities demanding N$1.1 trillion. The draft, however, pledges additional funding for upliftment, reconstruction, reconciliation and development.
In January, an article in 'The Conversation' magazine pointed out that after the German government’s collapse, the implementation of the reparations will depend on the German Bundestag's endorsement.
"German policy might have other priorities. The declaration has never been supported by all parties. Notably, the Liberal Democratic Party (FDP), which brought about the government’s downfall, avoids any reference to colonialism in its election manifesto. A further wrinkle is that Germany is currently preparing an official apology for President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Namibia will review it before it is finalised. If all goes to plan, the German president will then formally tender an apology to the affected communities. But at a location of their choice?"
[email protected]
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