Namibia’s Path to Justice: German Genocide Reckoning

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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The year 2025 marked a pivotal moment for Namibia and the global African Diaspora. For the very first time, Namibia officially acknowledged the German colonial genocide against the Herero and Nama peoples with a national Genocide Remembrance Day. This significant act of remembrance highlights a deep-seated demand for accountability and explicit reparations from Germany, addressing the enduring scars of colonialism that resonate across the Black world.

This historic commemoration serves not only as a poignant reminder of past atrocities but also as a powerful testament to the ongoing struggle for justice and healing. It sets a precedent for how nations, especially those with legacies of colonial exploitation, must confront their violent histories. Such a process is crucial for true reconciliation and for strengthening the bonds of humanity.

The Weight of History: Namibia’s First Remembrance

On May 28, 2025, Namibia took a profound step, holding its inaugural official Genocide Remembrance Day. This day honored the memory of 70,000 Africans who were brutally killed by German colonial forces in the early 20th century (Semafor). The act of national recognition brings into sharp focus the atrocities committed against the Herero and Nama people between 1904 and 1908, a period characterized by mass executions, forced displacement, and starvation (Africanews).

The day became a national holiday, thoughtfully observed with a moment of silence and a candlelight vigil held outside the parliament building (Semafor). For the African Diaspora, this act of remembrance in Namibia echoes a long history of suffering under colonial rule, from the Caribbean to various parts of the African continent. This national observance is a “Genocide Remembrance Day” (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone), designed to educate the public and honor victims through educational programs and symbolic gestures. It represents a vital step toward reconciling a painful past with present-day realities for the victims’ descendants and for all people of African descent seeking global justice.

Beyond Aid: The Push for True Reparations

The Namibian government has consistently pressed Berlin to provide explicit reparations for the colonial-era genocide (Semafor). Germany has proposed approximately $1.3 billion, or €1.1 billion, in development assistance over 30 years (Semafor, Wikipedia). However, a crucial point of contention remains: Germany has not explicitly labeled this funding as reparations.

This distinction is critical for many, especially for the descendants of the victims. Criticism has been voiced regarding the agreement, specifically concerning its failure to include direct reparations for them (Africanews). Reparations are distinct from development assistance (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone); reparations are intended as compensation for historical wrongs, while development aid aims to improve living conditions in general. In 2021, the German government formally recognized the atrocities as genocide and agreed to provide aid as a “gesture of recognition of the immeasurable suffering” (Wikipedia). Nevertheless, this approach of offering a “gesture of recognition” (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone) without direct compensation is seen by many as insufficient, failing to fully acknowledge and atone for the historical violations.

Voices from the Communities: Challenges and Disagreements

Despite the official recognition, some representatives of the Herero and Nama communities expressed reservations about the chosen commemoration date of May 28 (Africanews). This date does not directly relate to the key events of the genocide. Instead, community members advocate for October 2, the day in 1904 when German General Lothar von Trotha issued his infamous extermination order against the Herero people (Africanews).

General Lothar von Trotha’s extermination order was a military decree issued in October 1904, a directive instructing German troops to show no mercy to the Herero and Nama people. This order was instrumental in formalizing the German military’s intent to exterminate these populations, thus fulfilling a broader policy to eliminate them and assert German control over Namibia (Colonial Genocide? On the Use and Abuse of a Historical Category …). The absence of a clear historical link to May 28 suggests a strategic choice rather than a commemoratively significant event. Negotiations over recognition, apology, and compensation have spanned many years, with the Namibian government sometimes rejecting German offers as “not acceptable” (Wikipedia). Community advocacy is crucial in pushing for historical recognition and reparations (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone), reflecting diverse public reactions in Namibia—from support for historical redress to concerns about economic priorities (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone).

The Numbers Tell a Story: A Grim Past

Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial forces systematically killed and displaced tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people. Estimates suggest approximately 70,000 victims perished during this period (Semafor, Africanews). This brutal history is a stark reminder of European colonialism in Namibia, which was part of the wider Scramble for Africa.

Germany established its colonial rule in Namibia from 1884 to 1915, driven by economic interests and strategic expansion (Colonial Genocide? On the Use and Abuse of a Historical Category …). This period was marked by the violent suppression of local resistance. The Herero and Nama people were central to the resistance against German colonial expansion (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone), fighting valiantly for their ancestral lands and cultural survival. The colonial genocide represents a dark chapter, illustrating the devastating impact of unchecked power and systemic violence against indigenous populations, a pattern alarmingly familiar to many across the African Diaspora.

The Evolving Conversation: Scholarship and Justice

The term “colonial genocide” refers to the systematic elimination of indigenous populations during colonial expansion, often through violent means. This also involves policies designed to destroy their cultures and identities (United Nations, Colonial Genocide? On the Use and Abuse of a Historical Category …, CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone). There is extensive ongoing reinterpretation and scholarly discussion surrounding colonial violence, recognition, apologies, and the intricate “politics of redress” in present-day Namibia (TraCe Working Paper No. 4).

The broader debate on how to address and commemorate genocides includes legal avenues, diaspora activism, and insightful comparisons with the Holocaust (TraCe Working Paper No. 4). Comparing Namibia’s situation to other historical injustices, such as post-apartheid reconciliation efforts in South Africa, provides important context for understanding the global struggle for reparations and recognition (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone). For members of the African Diaspora, this comparative analysis underscores the universal nature of the fight against historical erasure and for equitable justice that transcends borders and historical periods.

Unpacking the Dialogue: Key Terms and Ongoing Debates

Since 2021, discussions between Namibia and Germany regarding colonial-era atrocities have been ongoing. While updates on these negotiations are limited, Germany has expressed its commitment to addressing historical injustices through development aid and other means (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone). The proposed €1.1 billion in development aid by Germany is intended to support infrastructure and economic development in Namibia. However, specific terms, criteria for fund allocation, and accountability mechanisms for this aid have not been detailed extensively in public sources (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone).

The “politics of redress” refers to the complex process of addressing historical injustices through legal or symbolic means (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone). This involves intricate political negotiations and public discourse to decide on appropriate remedies for past wrongs. The TraCe Working Paper No. 4 likely explores the historical and political implications of colonial genocide, aligning with broader scholarly discussions on colonialism and its aftermath (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone). Furthermore, scholastic and legal debates often compare colonial genocides with the Holocaust. This comparison highlights disparities in how atrocities are recognized and addressed internationally (CHAPTER 12 – Joseph P. Gone), underscoring the ongoing struggle for equitable historical recognition for all affected communities, certainly for those of the African Diaspora.

Namibia’s historic first Genocide Remembrance Day marks a crucial step in confronting the brutal legacy of German colonialism. It underscores the nation’s unwavering demand for explicit reparations, a demand that resonates deeply across the African Diaspora. While Germany has offered significant development aid, the refusal to label it as “reparations” continues to be a point of contention for many.

The journey toward true justice and reconciliation is complex and ongoing. The voices of the Herero and Nama communities, along with scholars and activists, continue to push for a complete acknowledgment of historical wrongs and concrete forms of redress. This ongoing dialogue underscores the importance of remembering these dark chapters of history, ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated, and that the suffering of our ancestors is properly honored with tangible justice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.