“The Heart Does Not Grieve Over What the Eye Does Not See”

Why Germans still look away from their colonial past—and what it means for justice in Namibia.

Despite promising intentions in the coalition agreement, the Scholz government made little progress on Germany’s colonial reckoning with Namibia before early elections stalled the process. The long-awaited Joint Declaration—intended to address the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama peoples during German colonial rule—has yet to be ratified, caught in a storm of domestic politics, contested legitimacy, and public indifference.

Researcher Markus Bayer, an Associate Fellow at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), has been closely analyzing what went wrong. In his recent Spotlight report (PDF), Bayer presents new survey data showing that the majority of Germans know little to nothing about Germany’s colonial past. This historical blind spot has real political consequences—most Germans don’t see the need for apologies, let alone reparations. Meanwhile, Namibia has sworn in its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, she has repeated the government’s call for Germany to take full responsibility.

In this interview, Bayer explains how Germany’s limited, moral approach to the negotiations backfired, why historical education matters more than ever, and what the next German government must do to move from symbolic gestures to real accountability.

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Sham from what happened last week: What do you think was the biggest missed opportunity in the Namibia negotiations?

Markus: International relations are never a level playing field. The biggest missed opportunity was that the German government recognized the power asymmetry—and still chose not to engage with Namibia on equal footing.

After the German parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide, Berlin felt pressure to address the Namibian Genocide as well. But the aim was more about closing this chapter of colonial history than genuinely reckoning with it. From the outset, it was clear that a legal admission of guilt was off the table. That kind of limited approach doesn’t reflect sincere regret or a real attempt to come to terms with the past.

Sham: Why does Germany still struggle to address its colonial past with the same clarity it brings to Holocaust remembrance?

Markus: That’s a good question. I think the main issue is ignorance—most Germans know very little about their country’s colonial history. And as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.

I’m not sure whether Holocaust remembrance helps or hinders progress on colonial issues. On one hand, it gives descendants of the Ovaherero and Nama a reference point to demand justice. On the other hand, I’m not convinced it makes Germans more willing to support reparations.

Sham: Your data suggests more historical knowledge leads to more support for reparations. What’s the most urgent change you’d like to see in education?

Markus: A lot has already changed in schools. When I was a student, the dominant narrative was that German colonialism was short and insignificant. Today, many textbooks at least mention the genocide in German South-West Africa.

But these are complex topics—and a few lessons aren’t enough. I’d like to see more collaboration between German and Namibian schools, where students can explore how shared history is viewed in both countries and understand its lasting effects.

The bigger challenge is reaching older generations. I believe we need stronger partnerships between researchers and media professionals to spark curiosity and help people question long-held beliefs.

Sham: Is a legal admission of guilt by Germany still a realistic goal—or has that ship sailed?

Markus: Honestly, I don’t think it was ever really on the table.

Sham: If the new government could do just one thing right this year on this topic, what should it be?

Markus: Maybe two small things:

First, as of April 1, Namibia has introduced visa requirements for travelers from countries whose citizens require a visa to enter Namibia—including Germany. Given our shared history, I’d love to see both governments agree to lift these restrictions as a gesture of mutual understanding.

Second, Germany should release the €50 million earmarked in the Joint Declaration for reconciliation and research—without attaching further conditions or tying it to ongoing negotiations. That would allow the reconciliation process to move forward, even if political talks stall.

Sham: Thank you for your time, Markus.

Photo by katsuma tanaka on Unsplash