Uncertain future for genocide reparations deal

Negotiations over reparations for the 1904 to 1908 genocide are currently in limbo due to uncertainty over Germany’s new government.

German ambassador to Namibia Thorsten Hutter this week said he does not know which way negotiations will go.

This is despite the Namibian government approving a deal in which Germany admits guilt for the genocide and agrees to pay over N$18 billion (1 billion euros) in reparations.

During an event to celebrate 35 years of German-Namibian development cooperation yesterday, Hutter said he could not tell where the deal stands.

Germany voted in a new government comprised of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

“I cannot tell what the outcome of the negotiations between the CDU and the SPD will be. I don’t know, and most likely even those who negotiate don’t know where they will land with the negotiations yet.” he said.

Hutter said the soon-to-be formed coalition government would probably look at the deal, and it could be concluded soon.

“German negotiator Ruprecht Polenz is from the CDU. So there is a consensus among those parties that I’ve mentioned, and it includes the Green Party, which is again in parliament.

“It includes the Free Democratic Party, which will not be present in the next parliament, to agree that we have to conclude the negotiations,” he said.

Hutter’s optimism also stems from Germany’s outgoing government having promulgated a new version of its Africa policy guidelines that is not legally binding.

“If you read the Africa policy guidelines, only one country is mentioned by name. This is your country, Namibia.

“It is mentioned in the context of addressing Germany’s colonial past and atrocities. So yes, there will be a new party leading the government, but it was also involved in the discussions about the Africa policy guidelines,” Hutter said.

The ambassador’s sentiments speak to the concerns raised by Turk Hansen, an activist in favour of the reparations.

Hansen, who is based in Germany, believes the country’s incoming government would make no effort to finalise negotiations between Germany and Namibia on the Nama-Herero genocide.

Hansen told Desert FM last month that the new German government may even cut development aid in coming years.

National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze has strongly expressed that the German government must see through negotiations over reparations for the 1904 to 1908 genocide.

Speaking at the same event, Kandjoze told the German government about the lengthy process the negotiations have involved.

“It is my wish that this matter be concluded sooner. A lot of Namibians are looking forward to making sure this matter gets to finality,” he said.

Kandjoze is a member of a special political Cabinet committee on genocide, apology and reparation.

“The emotions outside that will remain as they are, because this is a matter between the two governments,” he said.

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