Africa-Press – Namibia. MEMBER of the German parliament Sevim Dagdelen, who will be in Namibia for political talks next week, says she is deeply ashamed that the German government still refuses to truly recognise the 1904-1908 atrocities against the Nama and Ovaherero people.
Dagdelen will be in Namibia from 15 to 19 November to meet with prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and the speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi. She will discuss the current disputes over the so-called ‘Reconciliation Agreement’ between the German and Namibian governments.
““As a parliamentarian, I would like to send a message with my trip,” Dagdelen said in a statement today.
She has lobbied for the recognition of German colonial crimes and the decolonisation of German foreign policy.
“Instead of secret negotiations by governments, we need parliamentary initiatives by the Bundestag and the Namibian parliament. Only a genuine recognition of the genocide and the payment of appropriate reparations can pave the way for reconciliation and equal relations. Germany certainly still has a long way to go for this,” Dagdelen said.
Further talks are planned with the Namibian-German parliamentary friendship group, along with a visit to the burial sites at Okahandja and Waterberg. On Wednesday, Dagdelen was invited to hold a guest lecture at the University of Namibia on the continuity of colonialism in current international politics, in light of war, sanctions and international law.
Dagdelen is the chairperson of Germany’s The Left Party parliamentary group in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and spokesperson on international policy.
Dagdelen will be in Namibia from 15 to 19 November to meet with prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and the speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi. She will discuss the current disputes over the so-called ‘Reconciliation Agreement’ between the German and Namibian governments.
““As a parliamentarian, I would like to send a message with my trip,” Dagdelen said in a statement today.
She has lobbied for the recognition of German colonial crimes and the decolonisation of German foreign policy.
“Instead of secret negotiations by governments, we need parliamentary initiatives by the Bundestag and the Namibian parliament. Only a genuine recognition of the genocide and the payment of appropriate reparations can pave the way for reconciliation and equal relations. Germany certainly still has a long way to go for this,” Dagdelen said.
Further talks are planned with the Namibian-German parliamentary friendship group, along with a visit to the burial sites at Okahandja and Waterberg. On Wednesday, Dagdelen was invited to hold a guest lecture at the University of Namibia on the continuity of colonialism in current international politics, in light of war, sanctions and international law.
Dagdelen is the chairperson of Germany’s The Left Party parliamentary group in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and spokesperson on international policy.
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