Paper short abstract:

The paper looks at recent developments after the Joint Declaration of the Namibian and German governments (May 2021). The shortcomings of this accord are summarised and the responses of post and decolonial initiatives in Germany explored. This leads to initiatives to map a way forward.

Paper long abstract:

More than one and a half years after its promulgation, the Joint Declaration of the Namibian and German governments (May 2021) remains in limbo. While it has met strong protests in Namibia, there were also some debates in Germany, including some public protests, meetings and conferences. At the same time, discussions have been getting underway how such protests can be turned into constructive activity. This beckons the question what can be done on levels beyond (or below) the actions of states and governments. Such civil society activism goes back a long way, but there have been discontinuities and breaks that will briefly be mapped to assess current possibilities. Current initiatives of co-operation with Namibian partners, such as the fostering of twin and city partnerships or the establishments of local museums in Namibia related to resistance against German colonialism will be explored. On a local German level, civil society activism also includes the replacement of colonial street names which also beckons the question of listening to Namibian voices concerning new patrons for such streets. Recent experience in Berlin is an important reference.

The analysis will reflect the still incontrovertible postcolonial asymmetry that exists between the two countries and which finds expression in Germany in persistent, though punctured, colonial amnesia. Initiatives taken up are also understood as forms how to overcome such amnesia, i.e., to change some of the national self-image in Germany, inevitably in close and solidary co-operation with Namibian partners. A central vanishing point will be the outstanding German apology.