Genocide talks: Geingob says he did his part
President Hage Geingob yesterday said he did his part as far as the issue of demands for genocide reparations from Germany and admission of responsibility by that country is concerned.
Speaking during the State of the Nation (Sona) address in the National Assembly yesterday, Geingob said it is unfortunate that Germany’s offer of N$18.4 billion over the Nama and Ovaherero genocide is dividing the nation.
Geingob said he heard rumours that the new German government has a new technical team who will return to Namibia for negotiating, but the Namibian team led by the late Dr Zed Ngavirue has been disbanded.
“It is an ugly situation that we are quarrelling among ourselves, today Germany is laughing at us. We went from zero, they [Germany] did not want to talk about genocide but we opened up the door.
“To act like they are dictating to us now? Why are you making it sound as if we are being pulled around by our noses? If you negotiate, it is a give and take. What is the worth of human life, are you going to say N$10 billion, it is enough? Let Germans not laugh at us [and say] ‘Scheisse’ (shit). Yeah let them not say that.”
However, he insists that he has done his part and under his administration Germany has admitted to having committed genocide and has promised an apology that will be delivered by a senior state official.
The so-called quantum has deeply divided the Namibian nation, with the affected communities insisting that it was done without their involvement and that the N$18.4 billion is an insult to the memories of those who perished in the 1904-1908 attacks by Germany.
Geingob especially took offence at remarks by reparations advocate Ida Hofmann, who said last week that Germany must return to the negotiating table with concerned groups.
“And government must just watch? Did you hear Ida Hoffman say that? This issue must not divide us; Germany has admitted that it was a genocide. They have agreed to apologise, however what is dividing us now is the cost.
“The cost was never accepted by us [initial offer], we even called it an insult, they have now increased it. I have done my part, since people want to politicise this issue. Why are people angry with this government? Did we commit genocide? I have done my part, I was not even born that time [when genocide occurred],” he said.
The leader of the official opposition Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani, said it is unacceptable to allow Germany to dictate how much they want to pay in reparations.
According to him, the current offer is an insult if one is to compare the billions that the European Union (EU), which includes Germany, has paid towards the war in Ukraine.
“Germany cannot be the determinators on how much they want to pay. Is it fair that we have to accept a quantum that Germany wants to pay?” said Venaani.
Germany broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported that since 2014 Germany has paid nearly €2 billion, which translates to N$32 billion, in direct aid to Ukraine. Germany is also the biggest contributor to the development aid paid through the European Union which is about €3.8 billion, which translates to N$60 billion.
Social relief
Meanwhile, Geingob said government is aware of the inflationary increase caused by Covid-19-induced economic slowdown and the hardship experienced by Namibians and will make interventions when so required, based on available resources.
The president also announced that an amnesty for the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) debt repayments for a period of 12 months with the higher education ministry and finance minister tasked to work out modalities to waive interest on the loans of all NSFAF beneficiaries.
He also announced five-fold increase from the current N$250 per month N$1 300 Namibian Dollars for the children living with disabilities effective for the 2023 financial year.
“Our key developmental focus has been to break the cycle of poverty, inequalities and high unemployment. But unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused reversals in our fight against these structural impediments. The unequal distribution of wealth is one of the most widely discussed issues of today,” said Geingob.
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Speaking during the State of the Nation (Sona) address in the National Assembly yesterday, Geingob said it is unfortunate that Germany’s offer of N$18.4 billion over the Nama and Ovaherero genocide is dividing the nation.
Geingob said he heard rumours that the new German government has a new technical team who will return to Namibia for negotiating, but the Namibian team led by the late Dr Zed Ngavirue has been disbanded.
“It is an ugly situation that we are quarrelling among ourselves, today Germany is laughing at us. We went from zero, they [Germany] did not want to talk about genocide but we opened up the door.
“To act like they are dictating to us now? Why are you making it sound as if we are being pulled around by our noses? If you negotiate, it is a give and take. What is the worth of human life, are you going to say N$10 billion, it is enough? Let Germans not laugh at us [and say] ‘Scheisse’ (shit). Yeah let them not say that.”
However, he insists that he has done his part and under his administration Germany has admitted to having committed genocide and has promised an apology that will be delivered by a senior state official.
The so-called quantum has deeply divided the Namibian nation, with the affected communities insisting that it was done without their involvement and that the N$18.4 billion is an insult to the memories of those who perished in the 1904-1908 attacks by Germany.
Geingob especially took offence at remarks by reparations advocate Ida Hofmann, who said last week that Germany must return to the negotiating table with concerned groups.
“And government must just watch? Did you hear Ida Hoffman say that? This issue must not divide us; Germany has admitted that it was a genocide. They have agreed to apologise, however what is dividing us now is the cost.
“The cost was never accepted by us [initial offer], we even called it an insult, they have now increased it. I have done my part, since people want to politicise this issue. Why are people angry with this government? Did we commit genocide? I have done my part, I was not even born that time [when genocide occurred],” he said.
The leader of the official opposition Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani, said it is unacceptable to allow Germany to dictate how much they want to pay in reparations.
According to him, the current offer is an insult if one is to compare the billions that the European Union (EU), which includes Germany, has paid towards the war in Ukraine.
“Germany cannot be the determinators on how much they want to pay. Is it fair that we have to accept a quantum that Germany wants to pay?” said Venaani.
Germany broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported that since 2014 Germany has paid nearly €2 billion, which translates to N$32 billion, in direct aid to Ukraine. Germany is also the biggest contributor to the development aid paid through the European Union which is about €3.8 billion, which translates to N$60 billion.
Social relief
Meanwhile, Geingob said government is aware of the inflationary increase caused by Covid-19-induced economic slowdown and the hardship experienced by Namibians and will make interventions when so required, based on available resources.
The president also announced that an amnesty for the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) debt repayments for a period of 12 months with the higher education ministry and finance minister tasked to work out modalities to waive interest on the loans of all NSFAF beneficiaries.
He also announced five-fold increase from the current N$250 per month N$1 300 Namibian Dollars for the children living with disabilities effective for the 2023 financial year.
“Our key developmental focus has been to break the cycle of poverty, inequalities and high unemployment. But unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused reversals in our fight against these structural impediments. The unequal distribution of wealth is one of the most widely discussed issues of today,” said Geingob.
[email protected]
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