German reparation offer ‘not true’
JEMIMA BEUKES
Namibia's envoy on genocide and reparations Dr Zed Ngavirue has rejected claims that Germany has presented the Namibian government with a quantum on what they are willing to pay in terms of reparations for the 1904-1908 Nama and Ovaherero genocide.
This follows claims by former Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung representative to Namibia Heiner Naumann that in the second quarter of 2019, the German government presented Namibia with an official proposal on reparations.
On the sidelines of his farewell ceremony last November, Naumann told Namibian Sun he was surprised that this information had not been made public yet.
“But I think it is also wise for President Hage Geingob not to use this before the elections, otherwise it may be seen as a political tool,” he said.
Ngavirue however vehemently denied this and said there was a different proposal presented by former German ambassador to Namibia Christian-Matthias Schlaga, who discussed it at a local German high school.
“They talked about support for vocational training, housing and electricity installations and provided some figures. It was sort of an indication of interventions they are willing to give and this has been presented to the communities through their respective representatives. But for now, we are still negotiating,” he said.
Ngavirue added that the political elections in both Namibia and Germany delayed the negotiation process and they are expected to only return to Berlin in February for another round of talks.
The last round of talks took place early 2019 in Swakopmund.
“We have to go back to Berlin to respond to some of the proposals made in Swakopmund. I am positive that we should make a real advance this time around, but it would certainly not be the conclusion of talks,” he said.
Ready to pay
In June 2019, Namibian Sun reported that Schlaga told a group of German-speaking Namibians in Swakopmund that it was unfortunate that the negotiating process between the two countries could not be completed during his time as ambassador.
At the time, he also said Germany will not bind itself to legal terms such as reparations, but prefers “voluntary commitment to heal the wounds of the past”.
According to him, reparation is a no-go area for Germany since this creates a certain legal bond and that, instead, Germany is looking at the establishment of a ‘reconciliation fund’ which would finance specific nationwide projects in Namibia, while a ‘higher amount’ was intended for a trust account.
[email protected]
STILL GOING STRONG: Namibia's envoy on genocide and reparations, Dr Zed Ngavirue.
PHOTO: FILE
Namibia's envoy on genocide and reparations Dr Zed Ngavirue has rejected claims that Germany has presented the Namibian government with a quantum on what they are willing to pay in terms of reparations for the 1904-1908 Nama and Ovaherero genocide.
This follows claims by former Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung representative to Namibia Heiner Naumann that in the second quarter of 2019, the German government presented Namibia with an official proposal on reparations.
On the sidelines of his farewell ceremony last November, Naumann told Namibian Sun he was surprised that this information had not been made public yet.
“But I think it is also wise for President Hage Geingob not to use this before the elections, otherwise it may be seen as a political tool,” he said.
Ngavirue however vehemently denied this and said there was a different proposal presented by former German ambassador to Namibia Christian-Matthias Schlaga, who discussed it at a local German high school.
“They talked about support for vocational training, housing and electricity installations and provided some figures. It was sort of an indication of interventions they are willing to give and this has been presented to the communities through their respective representatives. But for now, we are still negotiating,” he said.
Ngavirue added that the political elections in both Namibia and Germany delayed the negotiation process and they are expected to only return to Berlin in February for another round of talks.
The last round of talks took place early 2019 in Swakopmund.
“We have to go back to Berlin to respond to some of the proposals made in Swakopmund. I am positive that we should make a real advance this time around, but it would certainly not be the conclusion of talks,” he said.
Ready to pay
In June 2019, Namibian Sun reported that Schlaga told a group of German-speaking Namibians in Swakopmund that it was unfortunate that the negotiating process between the two countries could not be completed during his time as ambassador.
At the time, he also said Germany will not bind itself to legal terms such as reparations, but prefers “voluntary commitment to heal the wounds of the past”.
According to him, reparation is a no-go area for Germany since this creates a certain legal bond and that, instead, Germany is looking at the establishment of a ‘reconciliation fund’ which would finance specific nationwide projects in Namibia, while a ‘higher amount’ was intended for a trust account.
[email protected]
STILL GOING STRONG: Namibia's envoy on genocide and reparations, Dr Zed Ngavirue.
PHOTO: FILE
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