The Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) has rejected the government's approval for the signing of the Nama and Ovaherero genocide reparations agreement with the German government.
Cabinet approved the signing of the Joint Declaration in mid-December last year.
It assigned the Minister of International Relations to sign the declaration on behalf of the government.
Addressing a media conference at Mariental, NTLA technical team member Marius Cloete said the foundation of the Joint Declaration remains colonial, racist, and dehumanising, making the Nama people invisible objects.
In terms of the renegotiated Joint Declaration, the N$19 billion development support programme for descendants of affected communities will be implemented over 23 years.
"We conclude that there can never be justice in a truly restoration sense when the affected communities, such as the Nama and Ovaherero against whom the extermination orders were issued, and Damaran and San, who suffered collateral damage, are not included and not part of the negotiations process. A simple commitment to inclusion in this agreement cannot outbalance the negotiation's oversight. This is not merely a political question; participation rights are individual and collective human rights under international customary law," said Cloete.
Moreover, the NTLA appealed to President Nangolo Mbumba to show leadership in this matter and listen to the plight of those affected.
The NTLA called on all Nama communities nationwide and in the diaspora to support the association in its quest to pursue the genocide reparations struggle to its conclusion.
"We stood strong together in this struggle against genocide, but as Nama people, divisions have emerged among us. For my part, I identify myself as Nama first, before any political or church affiliation. Let it be clear, being a Nama came first," said Deputy Chairperson of the NTLA, Dawid Hanse.
The NTLA maintained that development aid, as put forth under the Joint Declaration, does not equate to reparations.
It furthermore demanded direct reparations for losses suffered during the 1904–1908 Nama and Ovaherero genocide, including, among others, land and human lives.