Herero and Nama: Germany recognizes colonial crimes in Africa as genocide

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Prisoners in chains during the Herero uprising in 1904

Photo: ullstein bild

Negotiations had taken place for years, and now there is a breakthrough.

More than 100 years after the crimes of the German colonial power in what is now Namibia, the federal government recognizes the atrocities committed against the Herero and Nama ethnic groups as genocide.

She wants to support the offspring with a billion dollar amount.

"As a gesture of recognition of the immeasurable suffering that was inflicted on the victims, we want to support Namibia and the victims' descendants with a substantial program worth 1.1 billion euros for reconstruction and development," said Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) on Friday.

Previously, after almost six years of negotiations, delegations from both countries reached an agreement on a political declaration, which both governments have now approved.

However, the announced solution had also been criticized in advance.

The German Empire was a colonial power in what is now Namibia from 1884 to 1915 and brutally put down rebellions.

According to historians, about 65,000 out of 80,000 Herero and at least 10,000 out of 20,000 Nama were killed.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to officially ask for forgiveness at a ceremony in the Namibian parliament.

Germany does not want to make any commitment to compensation

The 1.1 billion euros are primarily intended to support projects in the Herero and Nama settlement areas.

It should be about land reform, agriculture, rural infrastructure and water supply as well as vocational training.

The genocidal communities would play a crucial role in the design and implementation of the program.

Representatives of the Herero and Nama were also closely involved in the negotiation process on the Namibian side.

The federal government also stated that its recognition of the genocide and the establishment of the relief fund did not result in any legal claims to compensation, but that it was a political and moral obligation.

jok / dpa