Five more Herero traditional authorities reject secretive genocide deal
NAMPA
WINDHOEK
Five Ovaherero traditional authorities (TAs) have rejected the reported N$19 billion offered by the German government as reparation for the genocide it meted out against the Nama and Herero people.
The TAs in a letter availed to Nampa on Thursday also expressed disgust at the fact that members of their own communities - who formed part of the Zed Ngavirue-led special envoy - “betrayed” them by entering into a deal with Germany “without consulting their constituencies”.
The letter, signed off by the Maharero, Zeraeua, Kambazembi and Mireti traditional authorities as well as the Gam community leadership, said while they appreciate the German and Namibian governments’ efforts to find a lasting solution to the genocide through bilateral relations, the result is not worthy of the paper it was penned on.
“During the negotiations, we have remained resolute and steadfast with our government-driven process as mandated by the resolution of the National Assembly and we have participated fully in the commitment of our government in finding an amicable solution to the plight of our people,” the letter read.
‘Unacceptable’
The Namibian government briefed the chiefs through the chiefs’ forum on round nine of the negotiation with Germany on 20 May that an amount of 1.1 billion Euros (approximately N$19 billion) was earmarked as a reparation fund for 30 years.
“The amount proposed/offered by the German government is unacceptable given the magnitude of the genocidal atrocities committed. This amount will never be able to properly atone for the crimes against humanity committed against our people,” the leaders wrote.
What irks the chiefs is that for far too long, they have been kept in the dark about the nitty-gritty of the deal, saying it has been shrouded in secrecy.
The leaders also accused Germany of treating the Herero and Nama communities as sub-human.
“In the course of history, the German government paid the Jewish people from 1952 to today - over seven decades; reparation to victims of the Holocaust, while the same government wants to conclude the 1904-1908 genocide in three decades,” they lamented.
Window of improvement
In their submission, the leaders also proposed that the Nama and Herero people who were displaced and find themselves in the diaspora must benefit from any form of reparation.
They proposed for an impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation to be conducted as part of the reparation to “allow for a window of improvement or recommitment”.
Last Wednesday, the Ovaherero TA and the Nama Traditional Leaders Association rejected the deal struck by the Namibian and German governments over reparation payments.
WINDHOEK
Five Ovaherero traditional authorities (TAs) have rejected the reported N$19 billion offered by the German government as reparation for the genocide it meted out against the Nama and Herero people.
The TAs in a letter availed to Nampa on Thursday also expressed disgust at the fact that members of their own communities - who formed part of the Zed Ngavirue-led special envoy - “betrayed” them by entering into a deal with Germany “without consulting their constituencies”.
The letter, signed off by the Maharero, Zeraeua, Kambazembi and Mireti traditional authorities as well as the Gam community leadership, said while they appreciate the German and Namibian governments’ efforts to find a lasting solution to the genocide through bilateral relations, the result is not worthy of the paper it was penned on.
“During the negotiations, we have remained resolute and steadfast with our government-driven process as mandated by the resolution of the National Assembly and we have participated fully in the commitment of our government in finding an amicable solution to the plight of our people,” the letter read.
‘Unacceptable’
The Namibian government briefed the chiefs through the chiefs’ forum on round nine of the negotiation with Germany on 20 May that an amount of 1.1 billion Euros (approximately N$19 billion) was earmarked as a reparation fund for 30 years.
“The amount proposed/offered by the German government is unacceptable given the magnitude of the genocidal atrocities committed. This amount will never be able to properly atone for the crimes against humanity committed against our people,” the leaders wrote.
What irks the chiefs is that for far too long, they have been kept in the dark about the nitty-gritty of the deal, saying it has been shrouded in secrecy.
The leaders also accused Germany of treating the Herero and Nama communities as sub-human.
“In the course of history, the German government paid the Jewish people from 1952 to today - over seven decades; reparation to victims of the Holocaust, while the same government wants to conclude the 1904-1908 genocide in three decades,” they lamented.
Window of improvement
In their submission, the leaders also proposed that the Nama and Herero people who were displaced and find themselves in the diaspora must benefit from any form of reparation.
They proposed for an impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation to be conducted as part of the reparation to “allow for a window of improvement or recommitment”.
Last Wednesday, the Ovaherero TA and the Nama Traditional Leaders Association rejected the deal struck by the Namibian and German governments over reparation payments.
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