Herero reparations demand still on

HERERO Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako has stressed that a proposed N$160-million donation from Germany has nothing to do with the Herero demand for reparations.

At a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, Chief Riruako said he, and a delegation, had met President Hifikepunye Pohamba before the head of state’s recent official visit to Germany. During the visit, President Pohamba declined to sign a memorandum of understanding that would pave the way for a 20 million Euro (around N$160 million) donation for communities massacred during the colonial era.Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku told The Namibian that Germany had jumped the gun on the agreement, as the needs of the specific target groups had to be assessed before the two governments could sign.”I want to make this clear that the N$160 million reconciliation fund has nothing to do with our demand for reparation,” Chief Riruako told the media yesterday.In 2001, Chief Riruako and around 200 supporters filed a lawsuit in the United States for U$4 billion in damages from the German government and three German companies.The claim was for atrocities committed in a genocide against the Herero people in 1904 during an uprising against German rule.Germany has apologised for the atrocities but ruled out reparations, promising instead increased development assistance.Chief Riruako said their demand for reparation is based on atrocities and genocide, confiscation of land and cattle, rape of women and loss of culture and dignity.”Therefore our demand is justifiable comparing to the compensation the German government is paying to the Jewish, Polish and others,” he stressed.Chief Riruako described President Pohamba’s decision not to sign the N$160 million reconciliation fund agreement as laudable, saying it had never been negotiated at any stage.During the visit, President Pohamba declined to sign a memorandum of understanding that would pave the way for a 20 million Euro (around N$160 million) donation for communities massacred during the colonial era.Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku told The Namibian that Germany had jumped the gun on the agreement, as the needs of the specific target groups had to be assessed before the two governments could sign.”I want to make this clear that the N$160 million reconciliation fund has nothing to do with our demand for reparation,” Chief Riruako told the media yesterday.In 2001, Chief Riruako and around 200 supporters filed a lawsuit in the United States for U$4 billion in damages from the German government and three German companies.The claim was for atrocities committed in a genocide against the Herero people in 1904 during an uprising against German rule.Germany has apologised for the atrocities but ruled out reparations, promising instead increased development assistance.Chief Riruako said their demand for reparation is based on atrocities and genocide, confiscation of land and cattle, rape of women and loss of culture and dignity.”Therefore our demand is justifiable comparing to the compensation the German government is paying to the Jewish, Polish and others,” he stressed.Chief Riruako described President Pohamba’s decision not to sign the N$160 million reconciliation fund agreement as laudable, saying it had never been negotiated at any stage.