Botswana and Namibia genocide committees sign MoU

WINDHOEK, 13 JUN  – The Ovaherero/Ovambanderu and Nama Council for the Dialogue on the 1904-1908 Genocide (ONCD 1904-1908) and the Botswana Society for Nama, Herero and Mbanderu on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Windhoek.
ONCD secretary Ueriuka Tjikuua said the purpose of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation between the two parties on all issues pertaining to the 1904-1908 genocide.
“We recognise the inherent common interest in the wellbeing of the descendants of the victims of the 1904-1908 genocide and therefore seek to develop the partnership between the two parties in our struggle towards acknowledgement of the genocide, offering of an acceptable apology and just reparation,” Tjikuua said.
He further explained that their cooperation is influenced by a desire to unite their people in both Namibia and the diaspora, as well as to carry out their activities within the framework of the laws of Botswana and Namibia and other international legal instruments.
Tjikuua promised that the MoU will be made public as soon as it finalised.
“This is just the beginning of an effective process of reaching out to our people in the diaspora. Future engagements with our people in South Africa and elsewhere are in the pipeline,” he said.
The two groups on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Vice President Nangolo Mbumba.
The Public Relations Secretary of the Botswana Society for Nama, Herero and Mbanderu, Jazenga Uezesa Kuhanga described the visit was fruitful and promising.
Kuhanga said Mbumba promised to brief President Hage Geingob on their concerns before Government pronounces itself on the matter.
He further said the Botswana government is supportive of their course.
“They were even represented at the meeting we had with the Vice President and I am convinced our president is briefed on the recent developments,” he said.

NAMPA