Genocide settlement ‘imminent’

Namibia and Germany have continued with negotiations over proposed reparations for the 1904 to 1908 genocide. The Namibian reports that 18 years have passed since Ovaherero paramount chief Kuaima Riruako tabled a motion calling for final agreements or settlement with the Germans on the genocide of the Nama and Ovaherero communities. It was unanimously adopted by the Namibian National Assembly. In July, negotiators said Germany’s reparations deal with Namibia will be an ‘uncapped’ €1.1bn to mimic €1.2bn reparations paid to Holocaust survivors. This means once the €1.1bn is used up, there are additional funds that will be provided. ‘President Nangolo Mbumba as chair of the special Cabinet committee on genocide will be provided with the relevant documents at the appropriate time,’ Hengari said. Negotiator Charles Eiseb last week said that following the collapse of the German coalition government, finalising the negotiations was imminent. ‘The joint declaration, the financing agreement, the reconciliation agreement, as well as the fourth one are ready for signing. The two governments just have to decide when and how,’ he said. The National Unity Democratic Organisation’s Joseph Kauandenge said he is unaware that the negotiations have been concluded. ‘We reject any re-submission to the Cabinet without the input of the affected communities,’ Kauandenge said.

Full report in The Namibian