Instead Germany will fund 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) of reconstruction and development projects in Namibia, which German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said would directly benefit the genocide-affected communities. While Germany has previously acknowledged "moral responsibility" for the killings, it had avoided making an official apology for the massacres to avoid compensation claims. "In light of Germany's historical and moral responsibility, we will ask Namibia and the descendants of the victims for forgiveness." "The apology on the part of Germany and acceptance there was a genocide is in itself historic and speaks to the moral responsibility Germany has towards Namibia and the communities affected by the first genocide of the 20th century," Alfredo Hengari told Reuters. "Germany must come to the Nama people, and to the Herero people, and to ask for forgiveness," she said.

Source: The Star May 28, 2021 13:18 UTC