Namibia Commemorates First Genocide Remembrance Day
A national observance honoring the victims of colonial atrocities against the Herero and Nama peoples.
Namibia held its inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day on May 28, a national commemoration recognizing the victims of atrocities committed during German colonial rule.
The observances featured a candlelight vigil and remarks from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, alongside a minute of silence for those lost, particularly from the Herero and Nama communities.
In her address, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized the historical significance of the day, recalling the egregious acts of violence inflicted upon the Herero and Nama, including their incarceration in concentration camps where many died due to starvation, and the appropriation of their remains for what was termed 'scientific research.' The President remarked, "These horrendous acts are now part of our collective history of resistance and resilience."
As part of the commemorative events, the day was marked by a call for enhanced reparations from Germany.
The Namibian government has engaged with German authorities since 2013, but as of now, there remains no agreement on reparations despite an apology from the German government.
"We should find a degree of comfort in the fact that the German government has agreed that the German troops committed a genocide against the...
people of our land," Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.
Christoph Retzlaff, Germany’s director for Sub-Saharan Africa, indicated a commitment to reconciliation, acknowledging "Germany's moral and political responsibility" regarding the historical injustices and expressing a desire to work with Namibia towards healing.
May 28 holds specific historical importance, marking the closure of concentration camps in 1907, which halted the systematic killings and vast suffering inflicted upon the OvaHerero and Nama peoples during the period of 1904 to 1908. During this tragic epoch, conservative estimates suggest that around 65,000 of 80,000 Herero individuals and at least 10,000 out of 20,000 Nama were killed, with total deaths estimated up to 100,000.
This period is acknowledged as the first genocide of the 20th century.
Germany formally recognized the genocide in 2021 and proposed reparations amounting to €1.1 billion over three decades, although a final agreement has yet to be established.
Despite the importance of the day, local reports have highlighted tensions surrounding the observance.
Only two of the thirteen speakers at the commemoration were representatives from the Herero and Nama communities, prompting some criticism and accusations of governmental exclusion.
The President urged the public to foster unity and avoid divisive sentiments on this significant day.
The observances featured a candlelight vigil and remarks from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, alongside a minute of silence for those lost, particularly from the Herero and Nama communities.
In her address, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized the historical significance of the day, recalling the egregious acts of violence inflicted upon the Herero and Nama, including their incarceration in concentration camps where many died due to starvation, and the appropriation of their remains for what was termed 'scientific research.' The President remarked, "These horrendous acts are now part of our collective history of resistance and resilience."
As part of the commemorative events, the day was marked by a call for enhanced reparations from Germany.
The Namibian government has engaged with German authorities since 2013, but as of now, there remains no agreement on reparations despite an apology from the German government.
"We should find a degree of comfort in the fact that the German government has agreed that the German troops committed a genocide against the...
people of our land," Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.
Christoph Retzlaff, Germany’s director for Sub-Saharan Africa, indicated a commitment to reconciliation, acknowledging "Germany's moral and political responsibility" regarding the historical injustices and expressing a desire to work with Namibia towards healing.
May 28 holds specific historical importance, marking the closure of concentration camps in 1907, which halted the systematic killings and vast suffering inflicted upon the OvaHerero and Nama peoples during the period of 1904 to 1908. During this tragic epoch, conservative estimates suggest that around 65,000 of 80,000 Herero individuals and at least 10,000 out of 20,000 Nama were killed, with total deaths estimated up to 100,000.
This period is acknowledged as the first genocide of the 20th century.
Germany formally recognized the genocide in 2021 and proposed reparations amounting to €1.1 billion over three decades, although a final agreement has yet to be established.
Despite the importance of the day, local reports have highlighted tensions surrounding the observance.
Only two of the thirteen speakers at the commemoration were representatives from the Herero and Nama communities, prompting some criticism and accusations of governmental exclusion.
The President urged the public to foster unity and avoid divisive sentiments on this significant day.
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