EDITORIAL: Not the time for Ovaherero divisions
The emerging power struggles within the Ovaherero community – at a time when unity is desperately needed to confront the full might of German state machinery over the genocide reparation demands – is regressive.
The infighting will, in fact, reverse the gains made so far by the late Ombara Otjitambi Vekuii Rukoro and others in the pursuit of justice for those who perished in unprovoked German gun power.
Ironically, the power struggle is rooted in replacing Rukoro, who passed away last year from Covid-19 complications. He must be turning in his grave right now.
Namibia versus Germany in reparation negotiations is already a David vs Goliath scenario. Divisions within the Ovaherero weaken already shaky grounds on which the reparation diplomatic war is waged.
The longer we fight each other over positions of power, the longer negotiations with Germany will drag on. Great progress has been made so far, and while there’s massive discontent on the cosmetic nature of the current agreement, the need to keep momentum persists.
If the Ovaherero, as a directly-affected community, allow reparation talks to cool off while waging a succession war among themselves, the fight will lose its steam. Rukoro wouldn’t want that. Kuaima Riruako wouldn’t want that.
In life, the two late chiefs would have wanted their community to keep pressure on the Germans. This is not possible in disunity.
The infighting will, in fact, reverse the gains made so far by the late Ombara Otjitambi Vekuii Rukoro and others in the pursuit of justice for those who perished in unprovoked German gun power.
Ironically, the power struggle is rooted in replacing Rukoro, who passed away last year from Covid-19 complications. He must be turning in his grave right now.
Namibia versus Germany in reparation negotiations is already a David vs Goliath scenario. Divisions within the Ovaherero weaken already shaky grounds on which the reparation diplomatic war is waged.
The longer we fight each other over positions of power, the longer negotiations with Germany will drag on. Great progress has been made so far, and while there’s massive discontent on the cosmetic nature of the current agreement, the need to keep momentum persists.
If the Ovaherero, as a directly-affected community, allow reparation talks to cool off while waging a succession war among themselves, the fight will lose its steam. Rukoro wouldn’t want that. Kuaima Riruako wouldn’t want that.
In life, the two late chiefs would have wanted their community to keep pressure on the Germans. This is not possible in disunity.
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Namibian Sun
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