Germany admits to genocide for the first time in 120 years – Namibian 03-07-2024

Namibian report Germany admitting Genocide Nama OvaHerero colonial wars 1904 1908 Namibia

“Germany admits to genocide for the first time in 120 years

By Shelleygan Petersen and Charmaine Ngatjiheue

3 July 2024

The German government has for the first time in 120 years admitted that the 1904-1908 massacre that killed more than 60 000 Nama and Herero people should be classified as a genocide.

Initially, the two governments acknowledged, in a joint declaration, that by today’s standards, the massacres would be classified as a genocide.

[…]

In 2021, Ovaherero Traditional Authority secretary general Mutjinde Katjiua and Nama Traditional Leaders Association secretary general Deodat Dirkse said because Germany stated they recognise the genocide in “today’s perspective” [see Joint Declaration, p. 3; ed.], this means they do not recognise any obligation to make reparations in the current reconciliation agreement.

[…]

German embassy spokesperson Gundula Perry yesterday confirmed to The Namibian that Germany has acknowledged what happened was a genocide.

“The German government calls the atrocities committed by German troops against the Ovaherero and Nama for what they are – a genocide – and acknowledges its moral and historical responsibility,” Perry said.

[…]

Perry told The Namibian that their position was solidified when that country’s president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, asserted that Germany must apologise unconditionally and mentioned this in his speech at the late president Hage Geingob’s funeral.

[…].”

 

 

 

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