Push to fast-track N$20bn genocide deal

Some representatives of communities affected by the 1904–1908 genocide have called for the revised joint declaration between Namibia and Germany to be signed before the end of the year, warning that further delays would deny ageing descendants the justice and redress they have awaited for generations.Germany has so far offered €1.1 billion, equivalent to approximately N$20.3 billion, in reparations for the genocide committed against the Nama and Ovaherero communities, to be paid over 30 years.At a press conference in Windhoek on Friday, traditional leaders, technical committee members and the Forum of German-Speaking Namibians said the process must now move beyond negotiations and towards implementation.“The time for delay is over. Justice must move beyond negotiations. Reparations must translate into reconstruction. Reconciliation must become a lived reality,” said Hoze Riruako, paramount chief of a faction of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, speaking on behalf of the representatives.The group called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to issue an urgent directive to finalise outstanding technical and legal arrangements and facilitate the signing of the declaration.While supporting the conclusion of negotiations, Riruako stressed that affected communities do not consider the €1.1 billion package adequate.“We do not dispute that this amount is insufficient when measured against the magnitude of the genocide, the scale of dispossession and the extensive reconstruction needs of the affected communities,” he said.However, he argued that the revised joint declaration provides room for additional funding and added that implementation must be guided by credible assessments of outstanding needs and mechanisms to secure further financial commitments from Germany.Germany's 2021 proposal set out €1.1 billion over 30 years towards reconstruction and development projects. However, the agreement remains unsigned amid persistent criticism from some affected communities over the adequacy of the funding and the declaration's legal status.Some groups have rejected the joint declaration outright, saying they were not adequately represented in the negotiations and that the agreement does not amount to true reparations for the genocide.Five agreementsCharles Eiseb, a member of the Namibian government's technical committee team, said the process extends beyond the joint declaration, with five separate instruments requiring signatures.These are the joint declaration, reconciliation agreement, reconstruction agreement, disbursement agreement and binational commission agreement.He said the documents are undergoing legal vetting by the Office of the Attorney General, as they constitute agreements that would bind the Namibian government.Once the legal process is completed, the package will still have to be considered by a special political Cabinet committee and the Chiefs' Forum.Eiseb indicated that the first tranche of funding could reach Namibia as early as 7 December 2026, although this would depend on when the agreements are signed and finalised.Traditional and community representatives insist that implementation must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of affected communities, particularly through access to land, water, education, skills development, electricity, roads and opportunities for young people.The reconstruction component is expected to include land acquisition and the development of underutilised communal areas through investments in roads, water supply, electricity and other essential infrastructure.Meanwhile, the reconciliation component, according to Eiseb, would encompass museums and heritage recognition, scholarships, exchange programmes, public dialogue and initiatives to address intergenerational trauma.A key demand is that affected communities must play a meaningful and decisive role in overseeing the implementation of the agreements.To this end, the proposal includes establishing an independent, not-for-profit special purpose vehicle to manage reconstruction, development and reconciliation programmes.“Those who are closer to the problem are well positioned to craft better solutions for themselves,” Riruako said.The representatives further emphasised that transparent financial management, clearly defined responsibilities, regular reporting and meaningful community consultation would be essential to building public trust and ensuring the success of the process.

Push to fast-track N$20bn genocide deal

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

Please login to leave a comment

Push to fast-track N$20bn genocide deal

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content