On 1 October 2015, Ambassador Christian Schlaga received Ms. Esther Utjiua Muinjangue of the Ovaherero/Ovambanderu Genocide Foundation and Mr. Matukubura Hoffmann of the Nama Genocide Technical Committee. for an exchange of views and to receive a petition.
Ambassador Schlaga said that the gruesome colonial war of 1904-1908 and the commemoration of the Namibian victims leaves Germany with deep grief, sadness and regret. Representatives of various German governments have expressed this on numerous occasions. Germany has accepted its historical, moral and political responsibility and has lived up to this responsibility through a very intensive bilateral cooperation. Germany wants to intensify its close partnership at all levels and shape together with the Namibian people a common German-Namibian future.
Ambassador Schlaga recalled and underlined the agreement between the governments of Namibia and Germany to start a dialogue process with the objective to reach a common understanding of the tragic events of the colonial era as well as the consequences to be drawn in order to establish a dignified culture of remembrance and commemoration. This shall be done through government to government negotiations in light of the common interest of both countries to look forward and to strengthen our relations supporting the Namibian people on its way to a prosperous future.
