The fight for restorative justice for the genocide committed on Namibian soil should not pit countrymen against each other but must unite them as they confront their common enemy, Germany.

This plea echoed in the National Assembly chamber on Tuesday when Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo made his input to the debate on the joint declaration on genocide by Germany and Namibia.

Alweendo is distressed by the manner in which the debate has gone thus far.

“The debate has become so divisive, and at times becoming mudslinging. We call each other names. We refer to each other as puppets and sell-outs. I am afraid that should we continue with this path, then the legacy left by the divide and rule philosophy will continue to flourish,” he cautioned.

For the Swapo lawmaker, the country has had difficult conversations before and will have them going forward.

“Let us make use of this opportunity presented to us to forge strong alliances beyond our tribal boundaries. Let us use this sad reality to refuel our resolve to unite and our quest for nationhood,” he added.

He said it is disappointing that Namibians, across political or tribal divides see it fit to hurl insults and demean each other when their common adversary is Germany.

“It is inevitable that we will have different positions, for example, on how to proceed. However, just because we differ on how to proceed, as members of this august House, we cannot be debating as if we are adversaries; we are not the antagonists here. Our collective adversary is Germany. It is Germany that must atone,” he stated unequivocally.

On the way forward, Alweendo said the deal struck between the Namibian and German governments cannot be rejected in totality as three key things were achieved: “The German government accepted that what happened in 1904 was indeed a genocide; they agreed to apologise; and they agreed to pay reparation.”

However, Alweendo said the N.dollars 18 billion reparation offer to be paid over 30 years “is woefully too insignificant and not commensurate with the act of genocide that was committed”.

“Not only is the amount not commensurate with the offences committed, but it is also to be made available over an inordinate long time period of 30 years – disregarding the time value of money. We are of the view that Germany can offer more. We think that Germany treated us with disdain in this respect.”

The debate on genocide continues in the National Assembly, with the House seemingly divided along party lines.

The majority of parliamentarians are pushing for the deal to go through while the majority in the opposition benches have rejected it entirely.

Traditional leaders of the affected communities have equally rejected the pact.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency