German-Namibian relations

Germany-Namibia relations refers to the interstate relations of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Namibia. Peter Katjavivi, a founder of the University of Namibia and longtime South West Africa People's Organization member, has been the Namibian ambassador in Berlin since 2006. [ [http://www.nid.org.na/view_book_entry.php?book_id=87 Namibia Institute for Democracy] ]

History

Main|German South-West AfricaThe German Empire first came to what is now Namibia in the 1880s as a colonizing power. Creating German South-West Africa, the colony was ruled by Germany until 1915 when it was conquered by troops from the Union of South Africa on behalf of the British Empire. During German colonial rule, perhaps the most important event to occur was the genocide of the Herero and Namaqua people from 1904-1907, which resulted in the deaths of 65,000 Herero (80 percent of the total Herero population), and 10,000 Nama (50% of the total Nama population). During South African rule, German was one of the two official languages of Namibia, the other being Afrikaans. Likewise during Apartheid rule, West Germany maintained a consulate in Windhoek despite United Nations resolutions calling for the isolation of South Africa.

Economy

Tourism

Main|Tourism in NamibiaIn 2008, the German Foreign Ministry estimated that an average of 60,000 German tourists entered Namibia yearly, resulting in a positive balance of payments between the countries. [ [http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Laenderinformationen/01-Laender/Namibia.html#t2 Federal Foreign OfficeNamibia ] ]

Aid

Calculated on a per capita basis, Namibia is the largest recipient of development aid from Germany in Africa. [ [http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1298060,00.html Germany Asks for Namibians' 'Forgiveness' | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 14.08.2004 ] ] From 1990-2004, Namibia received more than €500 million ($619 million) in aid. [ [http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1298060,00.html Germany Asks for Namibians' 'Forgiveness' | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 14.08.2004 ] ]

ee also

* Embassy of Germany in Windhoek

References