Germany's Parliament Debates Reparations for 120-Year-Old Genocide in Namibia

More than 120 years after German colonial forces killed tens of thousands of Ovaherero and Nama people in what is now Namibia, Germany is still grappling with how to make amends. While the government officially recognized the atrocities as genocide in 2021, lawmakers remain divided over the appropriate response. The debate in the Bundestag has been marked by tensions, with MPs from the Left Party turning their backs on an AfD speaker in protest. The discussion centers on reparations, memorialization, and the need for a formal apology. Critics argue that Germany's acknowledgment has not been matched by meaningful action, and many call for direct negotiations with affected communities. The legacy of colonialism continues to cast a long shadow over Germany's international relations and domestic politics. DW News reports on the parliamentary session, capturing the emotional and political dimensions of this long-overdue reckoning.