Windhoek: The traditional chiefs of the communities affected by the 1904-1908 genocide in Namibia have called on the government and all involved parties to urgently expedite reparation negotiations for the atrocities.

According to Namibia Press Agency, talks between the Namibian and German governments regarding these atrocities have been ongoing since 2013. The call for accelerated negotiations emerged from a two-day meeting of the Ovaherero/Ovambanderu Council for Dialogue (ONDC), Damara Chiefs Council, and San Chiefs Council, where they received updates on the negotiation progress and discussed the path forward.

During a media briefing, Jonathan Katjimune of the Gam Traditional Authority, spokesperson for the group, acknowledged the challenges facing negotiators, including bureaucratic, technical, and legal hurdles. However, he expressed deep concern over the prolonged duration of the process, noting that the communities’ intergenerational pain and growing suspicions over the delays risk undermining trust and causing further pain to the descendants of genocide victims.

Katjimune urged the government, negotiators, and all relevant ministries and agencies to expedite the process as a national priority and work in good faith to reach a conclusive resolution without further delay. He emphasized the importance of finalizing all outstanding legal matters to pave the way for signing agreements and preparing for the implementation phase.

Highlighting the need for a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to address reconstruction, development, and reconciliation programs, Katjimune stated that the SPV must be legally constituted with its own governance structure, independent board, transparent management, and accountability to both the government and the affected communities. He stressed that the SPV should not be susceptible to political interference but remain devoted to its directive of justice, reconstruction, and reconciliation.

The chiefs have already begun identifying founders for the SPV, with the expectation that both the German and Namibian governments would be represented on its governance board of directors to safeguard the integrity and legitimacy of the process.