The Federal Republic of Germany on Friday formally recognized the crimes committed by its colonial troops in the early 20th century against the Herero and Nama people, in what is now modern day Namibia, as “genocide”.
From 1904 to 1908, German colonial forces are alleged to have called committed genocide against indigenous people in the then colony of German Southwest Africa, now known as Namibia, through starvation, thirst, forced labor, malnutrition, sexual violence, medical experiments and disease in concentration camps, in order to gain access to their land. This led to the deaths of approximately 80,000 indigenous people, representing about 80 percent of the Herero people and 50 percent of the Nama people.
Following more than five years of negotiations between the German and Namibian governments on compensation, the two States finally reached an agreement whereby Germany will recognize its past acts against the Herero and Nama people as “genocide” and will further “ask forgiveness from Namibia and the descendants of the victims.” Germany is also expected to commit € 1.1 billion over 30 years for reconstruction and development in order to support Namibia and the descendants of the victims of the genocide, with it barring any legal claims to compensation.
In a statement, the German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas said that;
Lived reconciliation cannot be decreed. One thing is certain: the crimes of German colonial rule have long strained relations with Namibia. There cannot be a line under the past. The acknowledgment of guilt and our apology is an important step in coming to terms with the crimes and building the future together.
While the German foreign ministry has confirmed that genocide-affected communities will have a “crucial role to play in shaping and implementing the funds”, some groups representing the descendants of the genocide’s survivors have criticized the agreement, considering it as “meaningless” and a “sell-out agreement”.
