Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Charmaine Ngatjiheue
Published on 2024-02-27 12:33:33
The Ovaherero and Nama people, represented by the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) and the Nama Traditional Leadership Association (NTLA), have expressed their disappointment with the conduct of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during President Hage Geingob’s funeral. They have rejected the speech he delivered at the event, stating that they view it with contempt.
Steinmeier recently acknowledged the need for Germany to apologize to the people of Namibia for the atrocities committed during the 1904-1908 genocide, where approximately 80,000 Ovaherero and 30,000 Nama lost their lives. The affected communities are calling for Germany to acknowledge the events as a genocide and not downplay it as suggested in a 2021 draft agreement.
As part of the agreement, Germany offered 1.1 billion euros in funding to Namibia over 30 years. However, Mutjinde Katjiua, the OTA chief and deputy chairperson of the Joint Herero and Nama Restorative Justice Campaign, criticized the agreement, stating that it undermines Namibia’s sovereignty and minimizes the genocide committed against the Nama and Ovaherero people.
Katjiua expressed disappointment that President Steinmeier used the occasion of President Geingob’s funeral to promote the disputed joint declaration, suggesting that Germany is seeking to whitewash its past actions. He questioned Germany’s motives for offering an apology and emphasized the need for the apology to encompass all Nama and Ovaherero people, including those in the diaspora.
According to Katjiua, the joint declaration and proposed financial compensation amount to a mere attempt by Germany to evade accountability for the genocide. He vowed to continue fighting against the agreement, even passing on the fight to future generations if necessary, as betraying the memory of their ancestors is not an option.
The Ovaherero and Nama people believe that the joint declaration is a way for Germany to avoid taking full responsibility for its actions and that the financial compensation offered is more of a disguised form of development aid to Namibia. They are committed to ensuring that justice is served for the victims of the genocide and that their voices are heard on the international stage.
In conclusion, the Ovaherero and Nama people stand united in their rejection of the joint declaration and are determined to seek true recognition and redress for the atrocities committed against their ancestors. They refuse to be silenced or appeased by empty apologies and token gestures, and will continue to fight for justice and restitution for the victims of the genocide.
Read the original article on The Namibian
