Descendants of victims of the Namibian genocide are suing Germany.

Descendants of victims of the Namibian genocide are suing Germany.

Descendants of victims of a genocide in Namibia are taking legal action against a 2021 agreement between the Namibian and German governments. They argue that their voices were not taken into account. News: A motion to include Germany in the case will be heard before the Namibian Supreme Court on October 7. The background: Between 1904 and 1908, one of the most brutal episodes in German colonial history occurred in the then German colony of German South West Africa (now Namibia): the genocide of the Herero and Nama ethnic groups. The Herero uprising began in 1904. Faced with the increasing dispossession of their land by German settlers, ruthless colonial policies, and the destruction of their livelihoods (particularly due to the rinderpest), the Herero rose up under their leader, Samuel Maharero. They attacked German farms and settlements, but deliberately killed only adult male settlers and spared women, children, missionaries, and other Europeans. The "Extermination Order" (October 1904) was not long in coming. After the initial clashes led to a military escalation, General Lothar von Trotha was dispatched as the new commander-in-chief of the German "Schutztruppe." After the Battle of Waterberg in August 1904, in which the Herero were driven into the waterless Omaheke Desert, von Trotha issued the infamous "Extermination Order" (also called the "Conquest Proclamation"). In it, he declared that every Herero, whether armed or unarmed, would be shot. The Nama uprising began in late 1904. In the face of German brutality and the threat of the Herero's annihilation, the Nama also rose up under their leaders, such as Hendrik Witbooi. They waged a guerrilla war against the German troops for years. Von Trotha also issued a similar order against the Nama. Genocide and concentration camps were introduced between 1904 and 1907. The German colonial power persecuted the survivors of both ethnic groups with relentless severity. Many Herero and Nama died of thirst and hunger in the desert after their escape routes were cut off and water sources were poisoned. Those who were captured were sent to concentration camps, where they were forced to perform forced labor and suffered catastrophic conditions. Thousands died of malnutrition, disease, and mistreatment. The uprisings ended in 1907. Although the war continued until 1908, the uprisings had been largely suppressed by the military. The Herero and Nama societies were almost completely destroyed by the war and the subsequent policy of extermination. According to estimates, between 65,000 and 80,000 Herero (up to 80% of their population) and approximately 10,000 Nama (approximately 50% of their population) died during this period. The genocide of the Herero and Nama is now considered the first genocide of the 20th century. Germany has now officially recognized these crimes as genocide and announced that it will provide financial resources for reconciliation and reconstruction in Namibia, without, however, describing these as formal reparations payments. The 2021 Agreement: In a groundbreaking statement, Germany has finally: – recognized the atrocities as genocide "from today's perspective." – issued an official apology. – pledged $1.3 billion in development aid over 30 years. Why there is a lawsuit: The descendants of the victims reject this agreement. They argue: ▫️The aid funds do not constitute official "reparations" and do not adequately address the crimes. ▫️The Namibian government did not adequately consult with the affected communities. ▫️The declaration was made without their consent. The lawsuit questions the validity of the agreement and seeks a more just solution to this historic injustice. @https://niletribunes.org/2025/06/16/namibia-holds-first-genocide-remembrance-day-for-victims-of-german-colonial-atrocities/ @https://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/herero-and-nama @"Südwest" von Karl Glanz