**Namibia Commemorates Colonial Genocide with First National Remembrance Day**

**Namibia celebrates a new national holiday remembering the genocide of the early 20th century, highlighting the continued call for justice and recognition.**

Namibia is set to observe its inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day on May 28th, commemorating the systematic extermination of over 70,000 individuals from the Ovaherero and Nama communities between 1904 and 1908, widely acknowledged as a precursor to future genocides, including the Holocaust. This observance marks the first official national holiday dedicated to remembering the atrocities inflicted during the colonial era by German officials.

The genocide's perpetrators notably employed concentration camps and cruel pseudoscientific practices to inflict suffering on the indigenous populations who resisted colonial land and resource acquisition. The government's initiative to establish a national day of remembrance stems from pressure on Germany to address its historical wrongs toward Namibia.

Announced by officials, the chosen date correlates with the closure of concentration camps in 1907, a decision made under international scrutiny. The commemoration will feature a minute of silence and a candlelight vigil at the Namibian parliament in Windhoek, reinforcing the nation's ongoing quest for healing.

In recent years, the issue of reparations has loomed large in diplomatic discussions between Namibia and Germany. Although Germany formally recognized its past actions four years ago and offered €1.1 billion in development aid over 30 years, many Namibians criticized the move as inadequate, emphasizing the need for a formal apology and reparations. Community leaders have voiced that money alone does not address the loss of ancestral lands.

The sentiment among descendants of genocide victims is mixed; while some express cautious optimism regarding official recognition, others remain skeptical of Germany's intentions. Proposals for the return of ancestral lands now held by descendants of the German settlers have surfaced as part of the ongoing dialogue for reparative justice.

Historically, the colonizing regime's actions included extracting livestock from the Ovaherero and Nama communities as reparations for resistance against colonization, exemplifying a complex legacy of injustice. The issuance of an extermination order by German officials led to large-scale violence and the establishment of camps where countless individuals perished due to harsh conditions.

Namibia's historical narrative continues to unfold in light of these discussions, reflecting broader themes of colonialism, systemic violence, and the push for restorative justice. As the nation honors its past, the call for tangible reparative acts resonates loudly among descendants of those who endured the colonial atrocities.