German elections could derail genocide talks

CHARMAINE NGATJIHEUE and SHELLEYGAN PETERSENGENOCIDE negotiations, which are still underway between the Namibian and German governments, may be affected by Germany’s elections slated for September this year.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is German chancellor Angela Merkel’s party, is currently in power, and has been negotiating with Namibia on the genocide.

However, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the far-right party which is said to strongly oppose immigrants and is known to have racist views, has a good chance of emerging victorious, the international media has reported.

Namibia’s special envoy on the genocide, Zed Ngavirue, says the progressive forces in the German parliament (Bundestag), such as the CDU, which defends Namibia in genocide debates, are on the decline.

At the same time the AfD is gaining popularity.

Namibia has been in talks with Germany for the past five years, calling on the German government to acknowledge the Ovaherero-Nama genocide of 1904 to 1908, to apologise for the atrocities, and to make reparations.

Namibia, then known as German South West Africa, saw between 65 000 and 100 000 Hereros and 10 000 Namas killed.

Instead of demanding reparations, Namibia has opted for political negotiations.

Namibia last year rejected an offer by the German government, citing it was inadequate.

Ngavirue says if the AfD party wins, they may have a different approach.

He says the government currently has a window of opportunity regarding negotiations and should make use of it while it lasts.

“I think it is a question of us knowing what the AfD is capable of delivering. I do not think they would go back on their word,” he says.

Ngavirue says Germany has undertaken to acknowledge the genocide and to render Namibia an apology.

Moreover, the German government has promised to donate funds towards vocational education and housing, among others, he says.

“It is a question of financial and political affordability. Can they carry it through as a government or not? And that is where I feel we were not able to see how far the German government can go,” he says.

Ngavirue says no agreement could be reached during last year’s meeting.

“Throughout the negotiations, the Germans kept saying they can have a certain amount for vocational training, housing, and health, and may also consider the issue of land to make a contribution towards the government’s policy of willing seller, willing buyer,” he says.

The German government at the meeting said it would also want to ensure that their country and people, especially young people, are made aware of the genocide. A reconciliation programme involving exchange students was mentioned, Ngavirue says.

“Negotiations were stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic. We were supposed to go to Germany, but . . . we felt we were not safe,” he says.

He says Namibia rejected the offer made at the meeting, because “it is not only about killing, but also about taking the livelihoods of the Herero and Nama people”.

Namibia has drafted a declaration and full description of the genocide upon the German government’s acknowledgement of the events.

“They are prepared to render an apology at the highest level, that is from the head of state, to our nation, parliament and the affected communities,” he says.

Namibia’s objective is that Germany must be willing to help Namibia reconstruct the affected communities.

“It is reconciliation and reconstruction we are seeking. Reconciliation can be of a lasting effect provided our devastated communities are reconstructed, transformed and [the negotiations] should deal with hard issues such as the issue of land,” Ngavirue says.

“It is simply as a result of the negotiating partners who want to propose and insist on something different to what we have been asking. Our position is that discussing projects would not stop us from raising the issue,” she said.

The government has of late received communication from Germany and is studying proposals, before consulting the affected communities.

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