“Uncertain future for genocide reparations deal
By Shelleygan Petersen
6 March 2025
Negotiations over reparations for the 1904 to 1908 genocide are currently in limbo due to uncertainty over Germany’s new government.
German ambassador to Namibia Thorsten Hutter this week said he does not know which way negotiations will go.
This is despite the Namibian government approving a deal in which Germany admits guilt for the genocide and agrees to pay over N$18 billion (1 billion euros) in reparations.
[…]
Hutter said the soon-to-be formed coalition government would probably look at the deal, and it could be concluded soon.
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Hutter’s optimism also stems from Germany’s outgoing government having promulgated a new version of its Africa policy guidelines that is not legally binding.
“If you read the Africa policy guidelines, only one country is mentioned by name. This is your country, Namibia.
“It is mentioned in the context of addressing Germany’s colonial past and atrocities. So yes, there will be a new party leading the government, but it was also involved in the discussions about the Africa policy guidelines,” Hutter said.
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National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze has strongly expressed that the German government must see through negotiations over reparations for the 1904 to 1908 genocide.
Speaking at the same event, Kandjoze told the German government about the lengthy process the negotiations have involved.
“It is my wish that this matter be concluded sooner. A lot of Namibians are looking forward to making sure this matter gets to finality,” he said.
Kandjoze is a member of a special political Cabinet committee on genocide, apology and reparation.
[…].”
- Full report “Uncertain future for genocide reparations deal” on the website of the Namibian (last checked in March 2025)
- See also report “Cabinet approves genocide joint declaration” from 8 January 2025 by the Namibian Sun
- See also the Joint Declaration of the Governments of Germany and Namibia, which was initialled in May 2021