Hereros slam Bundestag resolution

A RECENT resolution passed by the German Parliament [Bundestag] on the 1904 genocide has drawn sharp condemnation from Namibia’s ethnic Hereros.

The Herero Chiefs’ Secretariat in Windhoek has lashed out at the Bundestag for avoiding the word “guilt” in its lengthy resolution and for also failing to mention the German concentration camps that were built at Swakopmund, Luderitz and other places in 1904. The Herero Chiefs said that by omitting “these key elements” of the genocide, which wiped out almost three-quarters of the tribe, Germans were making a mockery of the policy of reconciliation.”It is regrettable and unacceptable that these men and women [German lawmakers] would come with such this kind of resolution given the brutality committed against our people,” charged Rudolf Hongoze, Chairman of the Chiefs’ Secretariat.The Bundestag’s latest resolution, which was passed in Berlin last week, mainly confirms a previous resolution of 1989 in which the German parliamentarians stated that Germany has a “special responsibility” towards Namibia.The new resolution further expressed “deep regret towards the oppressed African people”.However, Hongoze questioned whether this expression of ‘deep regret’ was genuine or just lip service.”We have come to a point where we would demand [from] Germany to maybe define to us what they mean by special responsibility,” he stated.”If they cannot acknowledge or pretend not to know the mass killings and torture that was committed on our soil, what made them come to the conclusion that they have a special responsibility towards this country.”Hongoze noted that Namibians appreciated the development aid Germany, like other donor countries, gave to Namibia but “this does not mean that they [Germany] should provoke us on issues that still hurt us.”He revealed that the chiefs were planning to lodge an official protest against the new resolution with the German diplomatic mission in Windhoek.Between 35 000 and 105 000 Namibians were killed after the Hereros and Namas rebelled against German rule between 1904 and 1907.Germany has continuously ruled out paying compensation that the Hereros have demanded in a lawsuit.Meanwhile, thousands of Hereros from Namibia and Botswana will gather at Botswana’s north-western settlement of Tsau on July 17 as part of a series of commemorative activities to mark this year’s 100th anniversary of the 1904 genocide.Hundreds of Hereros fled and settled in Botswana during the war after they were driven into the desert by German forces.The Herero people plan to turn the centenary commemorations of the 1904 genocide into a cultural re-wakening of the tribe and to bridge the gap between those who remained in Namibia and the Diaspora.The Herero Chiefs said that by omitting “these key elements” of the genocide, which wiped out almost three-quarters of the tribe, Germans were making a mockery of the policy of reconciliation.”It is regrettable and unacceptable that these men and women [German lawmakers] would come with such this kind of resolution given the brutality committed against our people,” charged Rudolf Hongoze, Chairman of the Chiefs’ Secretariat.The Bundestag’s latest resolution, which was passed in Berlin last week, mainly confirms a previous resolution of 1989 in which the German parliamentarians stated that Germany has a “special responsibility” towards Namibia.The new resolution further expressed “deep regret towards the oppressed African people”.However, Hongoze questioned whether this expression of ‘deep regret’ was genuine or just lip service.”We have come to a point where we would demand [from] Germany to maybe define to us what they mean by special responsibility,” he stated.”If they cannot acknowledge or pretend not to know the mass killings and torture that was committed on our soil, what made them come to the conclusion that they have a special responsibility towards this country.”Hongoze noted that Namibians appreciated the development aid Germany, like other donor countries, gave to Namibia but “this does not mean that they [Germany] should provoke us on issues that still hurt us.”He revealed that the chiefs were planning to lodge an official protest against the new resolution with the German diplomatic mission in Windhoek.Between 35 000 and 105 000 Namibians were killed after the Hereros and Namas rebelled against German rule between 1904 and 1907.Germany has continuously ruled out paying compensation that the Hereros have demanded in a lawsuit.Meanwhile, thousands of Hereros from Namibia and Botswana will gather at Botswana’s north-western settlement of Tsau on July 17 as part of a series of commemorative activities to mark this year’s 100th anniversary of the 1904 genocide.Hundreds of Hereros fled and settled in Botswana during the war after they were driven into the desert by German forces.The Herero people plan to turn the centenary commemorations of the 1904 genocide into a cultural re-wakening of the tribe and to bridge the gap between those who remained in Namibia and the Diaspora.