Germany has officially acknowledged and apologised for the genocide committed by the German empire in the early 20th Century; announcing €1.1bn (£940m) worth of financial aid. After more than five years of negotiations between Germany and the Namibian government, Germany has recognised the genocide committed against Herero and Nama people during its colonial occupation of Namibia. The BBC reports that it is thought up to 80% of the indigenous populations died during this brutal genocide, and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has spoken of his country asking Namibia and the victims descendants for forgiveness.
Figure 1 Captive Herero men (Source: BBC, 2021)
What happened in the genocide?
In what was previously known as German South West Africa, now known as Namibia, the Herero and Namaqua (Nama) people were persecuted and killed in the early 20th century. The Guardian claim many were also tortured or driven into the desert to starve. The origins of the genocide start in the 1904 rebellion by the Herero and Nama people against the brutal German colonial rule. The BBC report that in response to the rebellion General Lothar von Trotha ordered the extermination of the population, and later any survivors were placed in concentration camps.
What is the financial aid going towards?
The Guardian has reported that the agreed funds by Germany will be paid over 30 years, and will contribute towards projects such as land reform, rural infrastructure and water supply. It is also said that a portion of the funds will contribute to reconciliation between Germany and Namibia, for example youth exchange programmes. However, it is worth noting that many descendants of the genocides victims say the aid is not enough. The BBC refer to an Herero activist who says "We're actually not accepting that offer because our people have lost lands, they have lost their culture”.
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