Dubbed "Germany's forgotten genocide", and described by historians as the first genocide of the 20th Century, the systematic murder of more than 70,000 Africans is being marked with a national day of remembrance for the first time in Namibia. Almost 40 years before their use in the Holocaust, concentration camps and pseudoscientific experiments were used by German officials to torture and kill people in what was then called South West Africa. The victims, primarily from Ovaherero and Nama communities, were targeted because they refused to let the colonisers take their land and cattle. Genocide Remembrance Day in Namibia on Wednesday follows years of pressure on Germany to pay reparations. The new, national holiday will be marked each year as part of Namibia's "journey of healing" including a minute's silence and candlelight vigil outside parliament in Windhoek, according to the government. It said it chose the date of 28 May, because it was on that day in 1907 that German officials announced the closure of the concentration camps following international criticism. Control over South West Africa - along with what is now Cameroon, Togo and other colonial territories - was stripped from Germany by competing powers after World War One. For many years Germany did not publicly acknowledge the mass slaughter that took place between 1904 and 1908. But four years ago it formally recognised that German colonisers had committed the genocide, and offered €1.1bn (£940m; $1.34bn) in development aid to be paid out over 30 years - with no mention of "reparations" or "compensation" in the legal wording. Namibia declined that offer, calling it "a first step in the right direction" that nonetheless had failed to include the formal apology and "reparations" it was seeking. Many Namibians were not impressed by what they saw. "That was the joke of the century,"Uahimisa Kaapehi told the BBC at the time. "We want our land. Money is nothing." He is an ethnic Ovaherero descendent and town councillor in Swakopmund, where many of the atrocities took place, and said "our wealth was taken, the farms, the cattle". A group representing genocide victims' families was also scathing about the deal offered in 2021, calling it evidence of a "racist mindset on the part of Germany and neo-colonial subservience on the part of Namibia" in a joint statement. Since thena draft deal has been reached between the two nationsthat would include a formal apology given by Germany, and whichwould reportedly increase the overall sum by an extra €50m. But many Ovaherero and Nama campaigners say the deal is an insult to their ancestors' memory and that they were unfairly excluded from the negotiating table. News of a national day of remembrance been met with cynicism from some, withcommunity activists saying restorative justice is still a long way off. Many campaigners would like to see the German government buy back ancestral lands now in the hands of the German-speaking community, and return them to the Ovaherero and Nama descendants. Historians point out the irony of Germany hitherto refusing to pay reparations, because prior to the genocide,Germany itself extracted its own so-called reparations from Ovaherero and Nama peoplewho had fought back against the colonisers. This was paid in the form of livestock and amounted to 12,000 cows - which is estimated by German-American historian Thomas Craemer to be somewhere between $1.2m and $8.8m in today's money, and which he argues should be added to the reparations bill. Those colonial lootings and battles were followed by the genocide, which began in 1904 with an extermination order from a German official named Lothar von Trotha. "This extermination order indicated that they were no longer going to take on any prisoners - women, men, anyone with or without cattle - they were going to be executed,"Namibian historian Martha Akawa-Shikufa told the national broadcaster NBC. This was followed by the introduction of concentration camps, she added. "People got worked to death, a lot of people died in the concentration camps because of exhaustion. In fact there were pre-printed death certificates [saying] 'death by exhaustion', waiting for those people to die, because they knew they would die." The remains of some of those who were killed were then shipped to Germany for now-discredited research to prove the racial superiority of white Europeans. Many of the bones have now been repatriated. Last year, Namibia criticised Germany after it offered to come to Israel's defence to stop it answering a case for crimes of genocide in Gaza at the UN's top court. "The German government is yet to fully atone for the genocide it committed on Namibian soil," said then-President Hage Geingob. Additional reporting by Samantha Granville Go toBBCAfrica.comfor more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter@BBCAfrica, on Facebook atBBC Africaor on Instagram atbbcafrica
Namibia to mark colonial genocide for first time with memorial day
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Namibia Establishes National Day of Remembrance for Colonial Genocide"
Bbc News
8.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Namibia is set to commemorate its colonial past with the establishment of a national day of remembrance, marking the systematic genocide of over 70,000 Africans during the early 20th century, an event often referred to as "Germany's forgotten genocide." This atrocity, primarily targeting the Ovaherero and Nama communities, was characterized by brutal practices such as concentration camps and pseudoscientific experiments, which predated the horrors of the Holocaust by nearly four decades. The newly designated Genocide Remembrance Day will occur annually on May 28, a date chosen to reflect the closure of concentration camps by German officials in 1907 following international outcry. This initiative is part of Namibia's broader "journey of healing" and aims to foster dialogue around the country’s painful history while addressing ongoing calls for reparations from Germany, which has faced mounting pressure to acknowledge its colonial legacy more formally.
Despite Germany's recent acknowledgment of its colonial crimes and a proposed development aid package of €1.1 billion, many Namibians, particularly descendants of genocide victims, view the offer as inadequate and lacking in genuine reparative justice. Community leaders have expressed disappointment, arguing that the funds do not equate to the reparations sought, which include a formal apology and restitution of ancestral lands. The negotiations have sparked controversy, with critics stating that the voices of the Ovaherero and Nama communities have been sidelined. As Namibia embarks on this commemorative journey, activists are calling for more substantial measures, including the return of land currently held by the German-speaking community. The historical context of this genocide reveals a cycle of exploitation and violence, with German officials implementing extermination orders and utilizing concentration camps, where many died from exhaustion or were subjected to cruel experiments. The establishment of Genocide Remembrance Day represents a significant step in acknowledging this dark chapter of history, though many believe that true reconciliation and justice remain elusive.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent announcement regarding Namibia's first national day of remembrance for the genocide committed during German colonial rule is significant both historically and politically. This event highlights long-standing tensions between Namibia and Germany, particularly regarding reparations and acknowledgment of past atrocities.
Historical Significance
The article emphasizes the horrific events that occurred between 1904 and 1908, when over 70,000 Africans, primarily from the Ovaherero and Nama communities, were systematically murdered by German colonial forces. By marking this day, Namibia seeks to confront its painful past and initiate a process of healing. The choice of May 28 as the date for the memorial day also serves to underline the historical context, as it coincides with the closure of concentration camps in 1907.
Public Sentiment and Reception
The article reflects a strong sense of dissatisfaction within Namibia regarding Germany's previous offers of development aid, which were viewed as inadequate and lacking in genuine reparative intent. The comments from Uahimisa Kaapehi illustrate a broader sentiment among many Namibians who feel that financial compensation does not adequately address their demands for land and a formal apology. This public outcry is essential in understanding the collective consciousness of a society still grappling with the consequences of colonialism.
Potential Impact on International Relations
The memorial day and ongoing discussions around reparations could have significant implications for Namibia's diplomatic relations with Germany and other former colonial powers. The acknowledgment of genocide and the push for reparations can lead to greater scrutiny of colonial histories and may set precedents for other countries seeking justice for past injustices.
Sociopolitical Ramifications
The establishment of Genocide Remembrance Day could galvanize public opinion in Namibia, encouraging a stronger push for reparations and land restitution. It may also inspire other nations with similar colonial histories to address their pasts more openly. The article suggests that this event is part of a larger "journey of healing," which could foster unity among various communities within Namibia, particularly those directly affected by the genocide.
Community Support
The memorial day is likely to resonate more strongly with communities directly impacted by the genocide, particularly the Ovaherero and Nama. These groups have been vocal in their demands for justice and recognition of their suffering, and the memorial day provides a platform for their voices.
Economic and Market Implications
While the immediate economic impact of this news on global markets may be limited, the discussion surrounding reparations and historical injustices could influence investment decisions and international aid policies towards Namibia and other nations with similar colonial legacies. Companies involved in development projects or those with historical ties to colonialism may find themselves scrutinized for their roles in past injustices.
Global Power Dynamics
This article touches on broader themes of accountability and reparations in the context of former colonial powers. As countries confront their colonial pasts, it may shift global power dynamics and influence discussions on international law and human rights.
In conclusion, the article presents a multifaceted view of Namibia's initiative to mark a national day of remembrance. It reflects deep historical wounds while also serving as a catalyst for potential change in international relations and community healing. The overall reliability of the information seems strong, as it is corroborated by historical accounts and current sentiments within Namibia regarding reparations and acknowledgment of the genocide.