Okandjoze chiefs demand new approach to genocide reparations
The Okandjoze Chiefs’ Assembly on Genocide (OCAG) says this year’s Genocide Remembrance Day must signal the start of a more decisive and action-oriented approach to genocide reparations, warning against continued inaction on the issue.
In a statement issued ahead of the 28 May commemoration, the assembly said 2026 should in a meaningful and consequential tone mark it as the commencement of the real ‘business unusual’ regarding the cause of German genocide in Namibia, and demands for an apology and reparations.
“Both the government and descendants have been talking about genocide and reparations for long but only in words without consequent action.”
OCAG said there remains “a huge gap” between government and descendants of genocide victims on the approach to reparations and restorative justice.
“It is time that our government takes a moment and reflect on these gaps in approach and engage us the descendants, differently now and onwards in a ‘business unusual’ for real,” the statement reads.
The assembly also confirmed that it met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 2 March to discuss the genocide, apology and reparations process.
According to OCAG, the meeting included discussions on the controversial joint declaration negotiated between Namibia and Germany.
“Our government appears to have adopted the joint declaration as the only blueprint in our quest for true, fair and honest restorative justice,” the assembly said.
“While OCAG and many other descendants of the victims, including some members of Parliament, do not fully align to that view of our government.”
The group said it reiterated its total, unequivocal and unconditional rejection of the joint declaration during the meeting with the president.
OCAG further stressed that Genocide Remembrance Day cannot be separated from broader demands for restorative justice.
“To us at OCAG this day cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader restorative justice objectives and programs,” it said.
The assembly welcomed government plans to include genocide history in school curricula and to erect memorials at sites where atrocities were committed, but insisted descendants must be fully involved.
“We look forward to the speedy implementation of these aspects of that resolution but, with full participation of the descendants of the victims to do justice to the exercise,” the statement said.
OCAG also raised concerns over the handling of repatriated human remains from Germany.
“These remains must therefore, be returned in a dignified manner with the requisite participation of descendants and also received as such by those closely associated with them,” the statement read.
