Swapo sucked into genocide saga
Mathias Haufiku
WINDHOEK
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has defended the ruling party, saying it played no part in the controversial genocide agreement signed between the Namibian and German governments.
She said this while she faced intense grilling in the National Assembly over the deal from opposition parties such as the Landless Peoples Movement (LPM), Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) and Nudo.
There were claims that the Swapo-led government gave in to the N$18.6 billion offer from Germany in exchange for development assistance.
Government is currently unable to execute planned development projects due to a lack of funds.
“Swapo did not conclude negotiations to strike a deal for development assistance,” the PM told lawmakers on Tuesday while responding to questions.
She said the billions in the genocide package will be used to benefit the affected communities.
“What was offered is much less than what was offered elsewhere, though we will finalise within a year. We indicated that we were not agreement with the offer. In spite of our efforts, we could not get them to concede to our demands,” she said.
She also said a special purpose vehicle will be created to ensure that the affected communities are not subjected to being spectators only.
Not consulted
Nudo lawmaker Joseph Kauandenge claimed that the Vekuii Rukoro-led Ovaherero traditional authority, which represents about 80% of the Ovaherero, people was not consulted.
“There are different views regarding the outcome. Whatever is contained in this declaration is what was agreed by Namibians during consultations,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
According to her, “the affected communities were consulted, even at State House where President asked communities to send representatives and we had an open-door policy trying to invite members of society who did not support this to come on board”.
She added: “The amounts are inadequate and do not make up for the losses, but this is the start of a relationship that will enable us to heal and for our country to recover from the tragedy.”
According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, government had envisioned the negotiations to be completed within a year but it took much longer.
WINDHOEK
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has defended the ruling party, saying it played no part in the controversial genocide agreement signed between the Namibian and German governments.
She said this while she faced intense grilling in the National Assembly over the deal from opposition parties such as the Landless Peoples Movement (LPM), Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) and Nudo.
There were claims that the Swapo-led government gave in to the N$18.6 billion offer from Germany in exchange for development assistance.
Government is currently unable to execute planned development projects due to a lack of funds.
“Swapo did not conclude negotiations to strike a deal for development assistance,” the PM told lawmakers on Tuesday while responding to questions.
She said the billions in the genocide package will be used to benefit the affected communities.
“What was offered is much less than what was offered elsewhere, though we will finalise within a year. We indicated that we were not agreement with the offer. In spite of our efforts, we could not get them to concede to our demands,” she said.
She also said a special purpose vehicle will be created to ensure that the affected communities are not subjected to being spectators only.
Not consulted
Nudo lawmaker Joseph Kauandenge claimed that the Vekuii Rukoro-led Ovaherero traditional authority, which represents about 80% of the Ovaherero, people was not consulted.
“There are different views regarding the outcome. Whatever is contained in this declaration is what was agreed by Namibians during consultations,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
According to her, “the affected communities were consulted, even at State House where President asked communities to send representatives and we had an open-door policy trying to invite members of society who did not support this to come on board”.
She added: “The amounts are inadequate and do not make up for the losses, but this is the start of a relationship that will enable us to heal and for our country to recover from the tragedy.”
According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, government had envisioned the negotiations to be completed within a year but it took much longer.
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