Swanu lambasts ‘mickey mouse’ reparations deal
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Swanu, the country’s oldest political party, has labelled the controversial settlement between Namibia and Germany regarding the genocide against the Nama and Ovaherero communities as a ‘mickey mouse’ deal.
The party’s acting secretary-general Evilastus Kaaronda charged that the Namibian government, represented by Dr Zed Ngavirue as its lead negotiator, negotiated in bad faith.
In a statement, Kaaronda dismissed and rejected the N$18.9 billion reparation offer announced by the German government last week.
“It was Swapo which in 1982 accepted the ‘mickey mouse’ constitutional principles which in 1990 gave us the ‘mickey mouse’ flag independence that we have today. Out of sheer cowardice, love of money and the luxuries it brings as well as being committed to no principles, the Swapo leadership sold our revolution to the highest bidder, just like they intend to sell the Ovaherero and Nama communities out to the Germans,” he said.
Kaaronda also rejected sentiments that the general elections in Germany inflicted the outcome of the reparation deal, saying it is nothing but a political ploy conjured up by both the Swapo-led and German governments.
Stand united
Swanu called upon the Ovaherero and Nama communities to unite for a common purpose and stop being divided by Swapo and its government for short-term personal financial or political gain.
“It is also our call as Swanu on all peace-loving Namibians - including all Namibians of German descent - to reject the so-called reconstruction and reconciliation agreement and demand a reconstituted negotiating team bringing on board representatives of the victim communities as chosen by themselves.
“In fact, the Namibian government must only be present and facilitate all logistical arrangements with their German counterparts. Apart from this, they must be reduced to mere observers,” Kaaronda said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Swanu, the country’s oldest political party, has labelled the controversial settlement between Namibia and Germany regarding the genocide against the Nama and Ovaherero communities as a ‘mickey mouse’ deal.
The party’s acting secretary-general Evilastus Kaaronda charged that the Namibian government, represented by Dr Zed Ngavirue as its lead negotiator, negotiated in bad faith.
In a statement, Kaaronda dismissed and rejected the N$18.9 billion reparation offer announced by the German government last week.
“It was Swapo which in 1982 accepted the ‘mickey mouse’ constitutional principles which in 1990 gave us the ‘mickey mouse’ flag independence that we have today. Out of sheer cowardice, love of money and the luxuries it brings as well as being committed to no principles, the Swapo leadership sold our revolution to the highest bidder, just like they intend to sell the Ovaherero and Nama communities out to the Germans,” he said.
Kaaronda also rejected sentiments that the general elections in Germany inflicted the outcome of the reparation deal, saying it is nothing but a political ploy conjured up by both the Swapo-led and German governments.
Stand united
Swanu called upon the Ovaherero and Nama communities to unite for a common purpose and stop being divided by Swapo and its government for short-term personal financial or political gain.
“It is also our call as Swanu on all peace-loving Namibians - including all Namibians of German descent - to reject the so-called reconstruction and reconciliation agreement and demand a reconstituted negotiating team bringing on board representatives of the victim communities as chosen by themselves.
“In fact, the Namibian government must only be present and facilitate all logistical arrangements with their German counterparts. Apart from this, they must be reduced to mere observers,” Kaaronda said.
[email protected]
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