Namibia is welcoming nearly 100 Batswana of Herero descent back to their ancestral land in a significant step toward restorative justice for descendants of those who fled German South West Africa (now Namibia) during the 1904-1908 genocide. Many of the Herero had sought refuge in Botswana to escape German aggression during the genocide, which reduced their population by an estimated 80%. Although 98 returnees were expected, only 50 arrived due to delays caused by livestock quarantine.
As part of this reconciliation and resettlemement effort, the Namibian government has allocated five commercial farms for their resettlement. However, the returnees will temporarily settle in Gam, a 20-hectare transit camp, where they will receive health cards, identification documents, and school placements for their children prior to their relocation to the commercial farms. Namibian authorities have pledged to provide essential services, such as potable water and electricity, to support their transition.
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