For the first time ever, Namibia is marking a national day of remembrance for the genocide that spanned from 1904 to 1908, where over 70,000 Africans were systematically murdered. This recognition highlights the painful legacy of colonialism in the country, particularly for the Ovaherero and Nama communities, who resisted colonization and were met with violent repression. The government has declared May 28 as Genocide Remembrance Day, chosen specifically to commemorate the closing of concentration camps in 1907. Following years of pushing for reparations from Germany, this new holiday is seen as a step towards healing, although many activists are skeptical about its implications and demand more substantial action regarding land restitution and official reparations.
**Namibia Commemorates Colonial Genocide with First National Day of Remembrance**
**Namibia Commemorates Colonial Genocide with First National Day of Remembrance**
Namibia observes its inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day, acknowledging the atrocities committed during German colonial rule from 1904 to 1908.
The genocide in Namibia, often referred to as "Germany's forgotten genocide", involved brutal tactics including concentration camps and pseudo-scientific experiments carried out by German officials. Despite Germany's later acknowledgment of these atrocities and a proposed €1.1 billion aid package to Namibia, many Namibians feel that the offer falls short of true reparations, lacking an official apology and reparation pay. Genocide Remembrance Day includes a minute of silence and a candlelight vigil in the capital, Windhoek, echoing the community's desire for restorative justice. Activists continue to advocate for the return of ancestral lands currently owned by the German-speaking community, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for acknowledgment and reparative measures relating to this dark chapter in their history.
