Germany Officially Recognizes It Committed Genocide In Present-Day Namibia
BERLIN – Germany is formally recognizing that its killing of tens of thousands of people belonging to two ethnic groups more than a century ago in present-day Namibia was a genocide.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced the recognition
on Friday, saying "in light of Germany's historical and moral
responsibility, we will ask Namibia and the descendants of the victims for
forgiveness."
He added that Germany will support Namibia and the victims'
descendants with more than $1.3 billion for reconstruction and development.
From about 1884 to 1915, Germany occupied several
territories in Africa. Its colony in Southwest Africa, in what is now Namibia,
was established to provide more territory for its people, a campaign called
"Lebensraum." At the time, German urban areas were overcrowded due to
a population boom.
After settlers seized their land and cattle, ethnic Herero
and Nama people launched a rebellion against their occupiers. German soldiers
killed tens of thousands of them between 1904 and 1908. Survivors were forced
into the desert and later placed in concentration camps where they were
exploited for labor.
Many died of disease and starvation, some after being used
for medical experiments. It's estimated that 80% of the indigenous populations
of the Herero and Nama died during the genocide.
In 1985, a United Nations report on genocide included the
killings, but it wasn't until Friday that the German government began using the
same language.
The recognition comes after nearly six years of negotiations
between the German and Namibian governments. Earlier this week, French
President Emmanuel Macron announced that France had a duty to confront history
and to recognize its part of the suffering it inflicted on the people of
Rwanda.
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