Africa-Press – Namibia. Swanu president Evalistus Kaaronda has condemned the Namibian government’s active opposition to the legal action brought before the High Court by descendants of the Ovaherero and Nama genocide survivors.
The Namibian government recently paid legal practitioners to challenge an application seeking to compel the German government to appear before the Namibian courts to answer for colonial-era crimes, particularly the genocide committed between 1904 and 1908.
Speaking to New Era, he described the government’s decision as a profound betrayal of justice, national interest and moral responsibility.
“Who authorised the use of Namibians’ taxpayer money to oppose our own people in a matter of such historical and moral significance? Where is the record of this application. When was this matter brought before Parliament for debate or approval?” he questioned.
The Swanu leader said there is no justification for using public resources to shield the German government from legal accountability while suppressing the calls for justice from Namibians, the direct descendants of genocide victims.
Kaaronda argued that the government’s actions validate the widespread sentiment among affected communities that they cannot trust the government to represent their interests in negotiations or legal engagements with Germany.
“By funding a legal defence that aligns with Germany’s interests rather than standing with the victims, the government has clearly chosen a side – and it is not the side of justice,” he stated.
He criticised the refusal by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuukongelwa-Amadhila to allow Member of Parliament Utaara Mootu to pose what he called “a legitimate and urgent question” to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.
He said it demonstrates a disturbing disregard for democratic accountability.
“Parliament exists to hold the Executive to account. Preventing MPs from raising questions of national importance is an abuse of parliamentary privilege and a subversion of democracy,” Kaaronda said.
The Swanu president called on the Prime Minister and justice minister to immediately disclose the total amount paid to lawyers involved in the matter, as well as the legal basis on which such instructions were issued.
“They must also reveal the identities of the law firms or individuals contracted. Parliament must establish an inquiry into the use of public funds for this purpose,” he demanded.
Kaaronda urged the Speaker of the National Assembly to explain why Mootu’s question was disallowed.
He also called for the establishment of an independent representative structure for the Ovaherero and Nama communities to directly lead all engagements and legal processes related to the 1904-1908 genocide and reparations.
“The government cannot claim to uphold justice and national sovereignty while simultaneously standing in the way of its own citizens seeking legal redress,” he said.
By opposing the case, Kaaronda added, the government has shown that its allegiance lies not with the people, but with those responsible for their historical oppression.
He reaffirmed his party’s support for the Ovaherero and Nama people in their ongoing pursuit of truth, justice and reparations.
“As a nation born from the struggle against injustice and colonial brutality, we must never allow our government to side with perpetrators over victims. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done,” he stated.
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