The Namibian government is yet to receive a response from Germany on the proposed amendment to the joint declaration on the 1904–1908 genocide.

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, who is also the Chairperson of the Special Political Cabinet Committee on Genocide, Apology, and Reparations, briefed the media on the meeting of the Chiefs Forum, held last week.

The Chiefs Forum is composed of chiefs from the affected communities, through which the government provides constant feedback, while the chiefs are also afforded an opportunity to provide the government with advice on the ongoing genocide negotiations.

The joint declaration was submitted and debated in the National Assembly last year, where various issues were raised and subsequently referred back to the government for re-negotiation with the German government.

At the heart of the issues raised by lawmakers was the amount of €1.1 billion, which some MPs said was insufficient and should be revisited.

In the amended joint declaration, Namibia proposes that Germany improve the quantum amount or give assurance that the current offer is not a final settlement and additional funding will be negotiated for in the future.

The Chief's Forum gave its blessing to the negotiating team and motivated it to continue negotiating for a better offer, urging the affected communities to support government efforts in resolving the issue.

The chiefs also proposed that the joint declaration be signed only once the issues raised by parliament have been addressed, and this should be done publicly.

After six years of back and forth, Namibia and Germany agreed on the 15th of May last year to put their initials on the joint declaration, which provides a guiding framework for the process of acknowledging genocide, tendering an apology, and making reparations by the German government.

However, the joint declaration was rejected by some segments of society, who said it did not equate to the atrocities committed by Germany.