Windhoek:Leader of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction, Ombara Otjitambi Hoze Riruako, has outlined the faction's firm stance on genocide reparations talks. He emphasized the necessity for unequivocal recognition of the atrocities committed against the Ovaherero and Nama communities by the German imperial regime.

According to NAMPA, the genocide, which occurred from 1904 to 1908, is acknowledged as the first genocide of the 20th century. During this period, German colonial forces systematically targeted the Ovaherero and Nama peoples following an uprising against land seizures and cattle confiscation. This resulted in the deaths of at least 80% of the Ovaherero population, approximately 65,000 people, and 50% of the Nama population, about 10,000 people.

At a recent media briefing attended by German-speaking Namibians, members of the Joint Declaration Committee, and the affected communities, Chief Riruako called for swift progress in negotiations that have been ongoing for nearly five years since the establishment of the Joint Declaration (JD). The JD between the German and Namibian governments was officially initialled on 15 May 2021 and is now undergoing final legislative review and community consultations before a formal signing.

Riruako, despite facing criticism from his faction for accepting the JD terms, represented the victims of the colonial-era genocide. He supports the pending Joint Declaration with Germany, grounded in three key pillars established by the Namibian Parliament. He emphasized that any final agreement must include full genocide acknowledgement, a formal apology, and the payment of reparations, describing these commitments as mandatory rather than diplomatic favours.

The leader reiterated that the entire process must focus on the affected people, ensuring that the historical suffering of their ancestors translates into tangible, sustainable, and intergenerational benefits.