“Nandi-Ndaitwah renews call for German genocide reparations
[28 March 2025; ed.]
Hertta-Maria Amutenja
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has repeated the government’s call for Germany to take full responsibility for the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people during the colonial period.
In an interview with the BBC, she outlined three key demands from the Namibian government.
“Our parliament discussed the German genocide against the Namibian people. One: Germany must accept that it committed genocide in Namibia. Two: Germany must apologise. Three: Germany must provide reparations,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She said Germany’s offer of €1.1 billion remains inadequate in the eyes of the Namibian government.
“Our parliament felt that it was nothing, and we must engage the Germans again. The document was ready. To the extent that unless something really dramatic happens, I cannot see this process going to next year,” she said.
The genocide, carried out between 1904 and 1908, resulted in the killing and displacement of tens of thousands of Ovaherero and Nama people by German colonial forces.
[…]
Presidential press secretary Alfredo Hengari said the government is finalising discussions with Germany on the Joint Declaration.
“The Namibian government is currently in the final stages of discussions with Germany on the Joint Declaration. There is convergence of views on a number of issues. You will recall that the President directed the Vice President and several key ministers and members of the Cabinet to provide feedback to affected communities on the Joint Declaration, a process that was successfully completed,” Hengari said.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the renewed demand for an apology highlights the continued struggle for justice.
“[… T]here’s so much more that needs to be done for real healing to take place, including restorative justice, meaningful reparations, and a clear implementation roadmap,” Kamwanyah said.
[…]”.
- Full report “Nandi-Ndaitwah renews call for German genocide reparations” on the website of the Windhoek Observer (last checked in March 2025)
- Also listen to the interview of BBC Africa with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (22:59; passage on the negotiations with Germany 17:28 – 21:45). It was conducted in Windhoek on 19 March 2025, two days before her inauguration as Namibia’s first female president. The BBC published the edited audio version on 7 April in its HARDtalk series (last checked in April 2025)
- Video report “Namibia’s President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has said Germany needs to apologise as she reflects on the Namibian genocide, and the country” (1:30) with excerpts from the interview, published on 26 March 2025 by BBC Africa on Facebook (last checked in March 2025)
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