Herero Reparations Demand Still On

[Simba Nerevu]

http://allafrica.com/stories/200512090046.html

Herero Reparations Demand Still On

The Namibian (Windhoek)

December 9, 2005
Posted to the web December 9, 2005

Carmen Honey
Windhoek

HERERO Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako has stressed
that a proposed N$160-million donation from Germany
has nothing to do with the Herero demand for
reparations.

At a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, Chief
Riruako said he, and a delegation, had met President
Hifikepunye Pohamba before the head of state's recent
official visit to Germany.

During the visit, President Pohamba declined to sign a
memorandum of understanding that would pave the way
for a 20 million Euro (around N$160 million) donation
for communities massacred during the colonial era.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku told The
Namibian that Germany had jumped the gun on the
agreement, as the needs of the specific target groups
had to be assessed before the two governments could
sign.

"I want to make this clear that the N$160 million
reconciliation fund has nothing to do with our demand
for reparation," Chief Riruako told the media
yesterday.

In 2001, Chief Riruako and around 200 supporters filed
a lawsuit in the United States for U$4 billion in
damages from the German government and three German
companies.

The claim was for atrocities committed in a genocide
against the Herero people in 1904 during an uprising
against German rule.

Germany has apologised for the atrocities but ruled
out reparations, promising instead increased
development assistance.

Chief Riruako said their demand for reparation is
based on atrocities and genocide, confiscation of land
and cattle, rape of women and loss of culture and
dignity.

"Therefore our demand is justifiable comparing to the
compensation the German government is paying to the
Jewish, Polish and others," he stressed.

Chief Riruako described President Pohamba's decision
not to sign the N$160 million reconciliation fund
agreement as laudable, saying it had never been
negotiated at any stage.