Windhoek, Namibia: During a visit to Namibia to honor the late President Hage Geingob, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier unexpectedly pledged to deliver a formal apology for the atrocities committed during Germany’s colonial rule in the country.
Steinmeier’s remarks, delivered at a memorial service for Geingob, surprised many, as the visit was initially intended to solely pay respects to the deceased leader. The German president acknowledged the ongoing negotiations between Namibia and Germany regarding the 1904–1908 genocide, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Namibians from the Herero and Nama communities.
“I hope I will be able to return to this country very soon and under different circumstances, because I am convinced that it is high time to tender an apology to the Namibian people,” Steinmeier declared.
This pledge comes after nearly a decade of negotiations between the two nations surrounding the genocide. A draft declaration and a $1.1 billion (€1 billion) development aid offer from Germany were previously rejected by the Namibian government and local communities, who deemed them insufficient.
Steinmeier’s commitment to an apology has been met with mixed reactions. While some, like Lifalaza Simataa, spokesperson for the Landless People’s Movement, expressed cautious optimism, others, including activist Sima Luipert, criticized the timing and questioned the sincerity of the promise.
The ongoing legal challenge by the Nama Traditional Leaders Association, the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, and the Landless People’s Movement against the joint declaration further complicates the situation.