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Namibian authorities announced on May 28 that Germany had agreed to fund projects in the South West African country worth that amount over 30 years, to atone for murders and seizures of property in its country. colony of that time more than a century ago.
Germany apologized on May 28 for its role in the massacre of the Herero and Nama tribes and officially labeled the massacre a genocide for the first time.
Opposition-led protesters and traditional leaders from affected communities marched through the capital Windhoek before climbing a fence to enter the parliament building, arguing the sum was too low and objecting that they were not involved in negotiations with Germany.
“The so-called deal is a blatant disregard for our legitimate demands for reparation and restitution,” read a petition handed to Deputy Speaker Loide Kasingo.
German colonial forces killed thousands of Herero and Nama between 1904 and 1908, after the tribes rebelled against German rule in the colony, then named German South West Africa.
The survivors were taken to the desert, where many ended up in concentration camps to be used as slaves, some dying of cold, malnutrition and exhaustion.
“The deal fails (…) on apologies and meaningful reparations (…) (and) contains no justice and only sharpens our pain,” said Kavemuii Murangi, a descendant of one victims, in a press release.
The German Embassy in Windhoek was not immediately available for comment.
A pro-government Herero and Nama faction has tentatively accepted Germany’s offer, one of its leaders, Gerson Katjirua, said at a press conference. The parliamentary vote, scheduled for later Tuesday, was likely to pass.
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