Littera Scripta (Jan 2015)
The Current Problems in Relations between Germany and Namibia
Abstract
Relations between Germany and Namibia are still heavily influenced by colonialism. As part of the scramble for Africa in the 1880´s, the German Empire came to what is now Namibia and created German South-West Africa. Germany remained the colonial power of the territory until 1915. The period of colonial rule was marked by the genocides of the Hereros and the Namas tribes. This article focuses on the current political climate within Federal Republic Germany and how the nation is dealing with the difficulties of its colonial past. It is clear how strained relations are between the colonizer and the former colony. It should be noted that Germany has undertaken reconciliatory steps this year (which marks the 100th anniversary of the end of German rule over Namibia) in order to deal with its history.
