Ambassador cautions on ‘Herero division’

RECONCILIATION between former enemies should be genuine and sincere, without thoughts of revenge or political tactics, the German Ambassador to Namibia says.

Ambassador Arne Freiherr von Kittlitz und Ottendorf was speaking at the annual Herero commemoration event in honour of the late Herero Chief Wilhelm Zeraua, which has been a tradition in Omaruru for the past 80 years. “If we seek reconciliation, we must be sincere and it must not be a play of political tactics,” he said.Von Kittlitz also made clear that – despite persistent rumours – the visiting Von Trotha family group had “no hidden agenda and no secret plan”.”The German government has no interest in sowing the seeds of division among the Herero people, although it is interpreted as such by some,” the Ambassador said.He was hinting at Herero Chief Kuaima Riruako, who held his own commemoration event in the Omaheke Region on Sunday.Riruako issued a stern warning against the Von Trotha family before their arrival a week ago.The Von Trothas are here on a visit to meet descendants of Herero people who suffered under German colonial rule and the ruthless military actions against them in 1904 under orders of a distant relative, General Lothar von Trotha.Riruako warned the family to bring their own security and hinted that “something might happen to them” should they visit historic sites where Hereros were killed.The warning resulted in a strong Police contingent providing protection 24 hours a day for the duration of the family’s stay.A planned protest against their visit to Okakarara was prevented by the Police.According to the German Ambassador, the visit of the Von Trothas, who undertook the trip in their private capacity, was a “strong symbol towards reconciliation.”Reacting to demands for dialogue between Hereros and the German government and reparations, which several speakers made on Sunday, the Ambassador said he could not comment, as “there are other platforms for that topic.”He suggested that the two historic cemeteries at Omaruru, which are in a dilapidated state, should receive attention.The chairman of the Von Trotha Family Association, Wolf-Thilo von Trotha, on Sunday also quashed a false rumour that his family allegedly gave large sums of money to Chief Alfons Maharero when he visited them in Germany in 2004.”We never did that, these allegations are completely wrong.We also did not bring any money today,” Von Trotha said.Chief Maharero also criticised those who spread such rumours.”There are dissident elements among the people who say I got money in 2004 and deposited it in foreign bank accounts.There are others who even say I am being used for the purpose of the Germans, but that is devoid of all truth,” an irate Maharero said.A delegation of the Herero and Mbanderu Reparation Committee will visit President Pohamba at State House today.”If we seek reconciliation, we must be sincere and it must not be a play of political tactics,” he said.Von Kittlitz also made clear that – despite persistent rumours – the visiting Von Trotha family group had “no hidden agenda and no secret plan”.”The German government has no interest in sowing the seeds of division among the Herero people, although it is interpreted as such by some,” the Ambassador said.He was hinting at Herero Chief Kuaima Riruako, who held his own commemoration event in the Omaheke Region on Sunday.Riruako issued a stern warning against the Von Trotha family before their arrival a week ago.The Von Trothas are here on a visit to meet descendants of Herero people who suffered under German colonial rule and the ruthless military actions against them in 1904 under orders of a distant relative, General Lothar von Trotha.Riruako warned the family to bring their own security and hinted that “something might happen to them” should they visit historic sites where Hereros were killed.The warning resulted in a strong Police contingent providing protection 24 hours a day for the duration of the family’s stay.A planned protest against their visit to Okakarara was prevented by the Police.According to the German Ambassador, the visit of the Von Trothas, who undertook the trip in their private capacity, was a “strong symbol towards reconciliation.”Reacting to demands for dialogue between Hereros and the German government and reparations, which several speakers made on Sunday, the Ambassador said he could not comment, as “there are other platforms for that topic.”He suggested that the two historic cemeteries at Omaruru, which are in a dilapidated state, should receive attention.The chairman of the Von Trotha Family Association, Wolf-Thilo von Trotha, on Sunday also quashed a false rumour that his family allegedly gave large sums of money to Chief Alfons Maharero when he visited them in Germany in 2004.”We never did that, these allegations are completely wrong.We also did not bring any money today,” Von Trotha said.Chief Maharero also criticised those who spread such rumours.”There are dissident elements among the people who say I got money in 2004 and deposited it in foreign bank accounts.There are others who even say I am being used for the purpose of the Germans, but that is devoid of all truth,” an irate Maharero said.A delegation of the Herero and Mbanderu Reparation Committee will visit President Pohamba at State House today.