The Damara community met at Okombahe at the weekend under the leadership of their King Justus //Garoeb and Chairperson of the Damara Chiefs Council Immanuel /Gaseb.

Following the meeting, the Damaras called on Germany to explain what happened to more than 17 000 of their people who disappeared between 1904 and 1907.

They also called on the German government to return the head of the 'Damara Warrior', /Haihab //Guruseb for reburial.

In a statement signed by //Garoeb and /Gaseb, the Damaras demanded that the Germans account for the land and assets that their forefathers lost and the culture destroyed during the genocide.

"Germans must pay reparations to enable the Damara people to restore their pride and dignity," the statement said.

The Damara Cultural and Heritage Forum was established under the chairmanship of Rosa Namises to collect data, summarise genocide events and compile formal reports on all genocide activities before they are presented to the leaders and the Damara people.

The leaders also agreed to seek an audience with representatives of the German government in Namibia and with Berlin.

Last week /Gaseb, chief of the !Oe#Gan, said the Damaras have largely been ignored in the genocide talks because of their silence.

"We want to call on other tribes who have also been affected like the Namas and Owambos to organise themselves also," he added.

Chief /Gaseb, also a member of the Council of Traditional Leaders, said the genocide affected parts of former Owambo and eastern Kavango, yet none of these people had been included in the delegation that attended the conference in Germany last year.

"We want the dialogue to be a national event. It must not be limited to the Herero people only. People in the North and South must also reveal their part in the war. They have a history," said /Gaseb.

A national committee was set up last year to push for dialogue with Germany, but the Damaras feel that it has largely been used as a smokescreen as, they claim, the Hereros continue to meet behind their backs to push for their case.

/Gaseb said that the national committee had so far failed to offer any solutions.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  Fatal kicking case to Regional Court
•  MVA sues paralysed accident victim
•  Koevoet bases to be renovated
•  Campsites bring hope to Puros
•  'Koos Kombuis' in Walvis cell
•  Ulenga leaves Parliament to prepare CoD for elections
•  Chief /Gaseb does not acknowledge appointment by King Justus //Garoeb
•  German museum to return skulls
•  Big Brother Africa 3: E-mails - From You To Us
•  Big Brother Africa 3: Is Malawi going to clean up?
•  Court cracks down on 'struggle children'
•  Nearly a third of Namibians poor
•  Pupils suspended over porn DVD
•  NA approves US grant
•  Russian couple murder sent to High Court
•  Rain prospects for the northeast good
•  Housing Minister meets shack dwellers
•  Flood of applause for flood support
•  New deputy chair for chiefs' council
•  Special week for Special Olympians
•  Misa Namibia Media Awards 2008
•  Bret goes bust
•  Fruit fly causes loss of millions in exports
•  Knives out for Pohamba