A group of concerned Ovaherero and Nama youth at Walvis Bay on Tuesday called for the intervention of the United Nations in the 1904-1908 Genocide deal proceedings between the governments of Namibia and Germany.

This is to ensure that the current agreement between the two governments does not come to fruition as it does not represent the interest of the affected communities.

The group that gathered at the harbour town expressed disappointment, as discussions on the matter commenced in the National Assembly on the same day.

“We condemn the so-called joint declaration by the Federal Republic of Germany and Namibia as it does not represent the interests of the affected communities,” said Kaejarukapo Tjiriange in their address.

Tjiriange said the affected communities are being ignored and made to accept an agreement they do not approve of, adding that the Namibian government should only be an interested party in the genocide negotiations and allow the affected communities to speak for themselves, through their designated representatives, in the negotiations.

The group further expressed commitment to render support to the genocide committee to ensure that the reparation and compensation are finalised in the good interest of the affected communities and the entire Namibian nation at large, in accordance with documented demands.

The German government has offered N. dollars 19 billion as a development aid package to Namibia as part of a deal to atone for a colonial-era genocide.

It is estimated that up to 100 000 Ovaherero and 10 000 Nama people died in the 1904-1908 genocide.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency