Despite widespread criticism and objections, the Namibian government has accepted the Euro 1.1 billion (roughly N.dollars 18.1 billion) offered by the German government as reparation for the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama communities between 1904 and 1908.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed that the Namibia government indeed agreed to the widely contested amount noting that while the amount agreed upon is regrettably “not enough and much below” what they expected, it was agreed upon in efforts to finalise negotiations which have been dragging on for more than five years now.

The agreement follows nine rounds’ negotiations between the two countries dating from 2016, where finally in 2021, Germany acknowledged and agreed that the mass killing of the Ovaherero and Nama communities, the seizure of their land, livestock and cultural artefacts by German imperial troops in Namibia between 1904 and 1908 constitute and fit the definition of genocide.

The German government has now agreed to render an unconditional apology to the affected communities and the government of Namibia for the genocide. The apology will be delivered by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany in the National Assembly of Namibia on a date to be agreed upon between the two governments.

Consequent of the genocide committed, Germany has also accepted a moral, historical and political obligation to pay monetary compensation (reparations) for reconciliation and reconstruction programmes for the affected communities to improve their livelihoods.

Mbumba said the amount of Euro 1.1 billion will be allocated over a 30-year period to implement projects in the Erongo, Hardap, ||Kharas, Kunene, Khomas, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions.

“Euro 50 million will go towards reconciliation; Euro 130 million for renewable energy; Euro 150 million for vocational training; Euro 100 million for rural roads; Euro 130 million for rural water supply and sanitation; and Euro 540 million for land acquisition and training,” the VP broke the amounts down.

Mbumba said he is fully aware that the reparation amount was always going to be a highly contentious issue but noted that negotiators did the best they could under the heavy resistance they faced from Germany.

“We need to recognise that the number of Euro 1.1 billion agreed upon between the two governments is not enough and does not adequately address the initial quantum of reparations initially submitted to the German government. However, in any negotiation, and based on the principle of give and take, the government of Namibia believes that the amount even if it is not enough, Germany has agreed to commit to revisit and renegotiate the amount, as the implementation of the reparations ensues,” he said adding that the implementation of projects will be subjected to periodic impact assessment and evaluation at agreed intervals to ensure that the primary objective of the reconciliation and reconstruction programmes of improving the livelihoods of the affected communities has been achieved.

International Relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the two countries’ international relations ministers are expected to meet in Namibia soon to sign the agreed declaration which will be forwarded to parliament for debate, approval or rejection.

Upon approval by the National Assembly, the German president is expected to fly to Namibia and deliver the official apology.

Source: Namibia Press Agency