Genocide deal on ice
During the last session of Parliament, the genocide deal between the governments of Namibia and Germany was shot down by the political opposition, who accused the Swapo government of being “sell-outs”.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
With Parliament on recess until next month, it is difficult to say when the N$18.5 billion genocide reparation deal between Namibia and Germany will be concluded, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said yesterday.
The Namibian government accepted the genocide package, despite the deal being rejected as an ‘insult’ and ‘betrayal’ by the affected communities, who were sidelined during official negotiations.
Government is more than ready to sign on the dotted line, however, it must first get past political opposition parties in Parliament, where the deal will be discussed and eventually ratified.
During the last session of Parliament when fired-up opposition members tore apart the deal and poked holes in government’s response, it was clear that it won’t be smooth sailing.
Government, although insisting to have been inclusive, is accused of sidelining affected communities and having concocted a deal to suit only itself.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said she is aware of these sentiments, adding that time will tell how things will turn out.
“I heard what people are saying, but only when Parliament opens will we know what will happen. We don’t have a fixed date; we cannot know until our Parliament meets,” she said.
Wall of resistance
She could also not indicate whether the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier will still be visiting Namibia to clinch the deal and offer an official apology.
“The German side, we are in communication, but we are waiting to handle it here at home when Parliament starts. Then we will know how we are moving,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
During the last session of Parliament, the deal was shot down by the political opposition, who accused the Swapo government of being “sell-outs”.
This wall of resistance is expected to be reinforced with the return of the now exonerated firebrand Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leaders Henny Seibeb and Bernadus Swartbooi.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
With Parliament on recess until next month, it is difficult to say when the N$18.5 billion genocide reparation deal between Namibia and Germany will be concluded, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said yesterday.
The Namibian government accepted the genocide package, despite the deal being rejected as an ‘insult’ and ‘betrayal’ by the affected communities, who were sidelined during official negotiations.
Government is more than ready to sign on the dotted line, however, it must first get past political opposition parties in Parliament, where the deal will be discussed and eventually ratified.
During the last session of Parliament when fired-up opposition members tore apart the deal and poked holes in government’s response, it was clear that it won’t be smooth sailing.
Government, although insisting to have been inclusive, is accused of sidelining affected communities and having concocted a deal to suit only itself.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said she is aware of these sentiments, adding that time will tell how things will turn out.
“I heard what people are saying, but only when Parliament opens will we know what will happen. We don’t have a fixed date; we cannot know until our Parliament meets,” she said.
Wall of resistance
She could also not indicate whether the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier will still be visiting Namibia to clinch the deal and offer an official apology.
“The German side, we are in communication, but we are waiting to handle it here at home when Parliament starts. Then we will know how we are moving,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
During the last session of Parliament, the deal was shot down by the political opposition, who accused the Swapo government of being “sell-outs”.
This wall of resistance is expected to be reinforced with the return of the now exonerated firebrand Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leaders Henny Seibeb and Bernadus Swartbooi.
[email protected]
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