Protesters in Namibia condemn proposed deal with Germany over genocide reparations

Windhoek, September 24 (RHC)-- Namibia has resumed debate on a possible agreement with Germany over the former colonizer’s genocide of tens of thousands of Ovaherero and Nama people in the early 1900s. 

Hundreds protested in front of Namibia’s Parliament earlier this week against the proposed deal, which includes a payment of more than $1.34 billion, paid out over 30 years. 

McHenry Venaani, president of the Popular Democratic Movement, addressing the deal, told reporters: "For the last 31 years, the Namibian government has received more than $1.1 billion from the German government.  The Germans — listen very carefully — the Germans say they are guilty of murdering us.  But for this guilt, they are paying the same amount that they have been paying the government for the last 31 years.”