Martin Endjala
Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the government will not interfere with the more than one billion Euros in genocide funds from the German government intended for genocide-affected communities.
She said the government’s sole role is to facilitate and guarantee the money is used for its intended purpose.
She said this during the meeting of the chiefs forum of the affected communities of the 1904–1908 genocide, held on Thursday at the Gateway Conference Centre in Khomasdal.
“At this point, let me assure you once more that the government of the Republic of Namibia will not interfere with the endowment fund but we will keep an eagle eye over the fund to ensure that it is used for its intended purpose and the fulfilment objective of the fund, of the descendants and victims of the genocide,” she assured.
She stated that the fund’s goal is to improve the living conditions of the descendants of genocide victims.
After five years of negotiation, Namibia and Germany agreed to an initial joint declaration in 2021, which included an acknowledgement of genocide and an apology from Germany to the affected community.
The third step involves the payment of reparations.
She said Germany has agreed to pay a total of 1.1 billion euros as an endowment for reparations for the genocide it committed.
Nandi-Ndaitwah added that the government will ensure that Germany honours its obligations to the latter and intervenes when necessary in order to safeguard the interests of the descendants of the genocide victims.
“The Namibian government will facilitate the establishment of the special vehicle that will predominantly manage and control under the direction of the descendants of the victims of the genocide. In line with the provisions of the joint declaration,” she said.
Even though the genocide negotiations were sensible, Nandi-Ndaitwah said they could not have happened amicably without the chiefs of the affected community.
She went on to say that the money for Genocide has been a problem for a while, frequently stating that it is insufficient.
Nandi-Ndaitwah cautioned that Namibia should not rely solely on external organisations to address the genocide that one of the world’s current economic powers, Germany, committed in Africa more than 120 years ago.
She said it might not be helpful, particularly given the highly polarised international political conundrums.
“It is therefore important for us to pay attention and appreciate what has been achieved thus far from these negotiations, and indicate where improvements should be made if necessary. Unless we really want to prolong this indefinitely,” she cautioned.
She stated that the national assembly will discuss the consensus between the two countries further before finalising the entire process.
Nandi-Ndaitwah urges all traditional leaders to maintain their unity and resist division. She said they are part of a bigger Namibian house by embracing one another going forward.
Gaob Gertze, who spoke on behalf of the //Haboben Traditional Community, chief Dawid Cassius Gertze, said the negotiators who are representing them came from the various traditional communities, and that’s why they take it very seriously.
“I am coming from a very poor community and we cannot afford to play football with the pain of our ancestors. Hence our presence, and we are looking forward to seeing that we bring this process to its conclusion,” he said.
Peter Katjavivi, the Speaker of the National Assembly, lamented that the process has been ongoing for too long and that it is now time to reach a lasting conclusion.
“We all know that this is a matter that has taken several years. It has never been easy, it requires patience and determination for us to achieve our main objective,” said Katjavivi.
He said that the meeting will give the various communities a chance to reflect on the negotiations already done and the best ways to improve where there is room for improvement.
He asserted that the issue of quantum remains a significant concern.
“It is one of the major issues that has been troubling the negotiation team in terms of harmonising debates. Let us reflect and deliberate to find amicable solutions,” said Katjavivi.
