WINDHOEK, Aug 19 (AFP) - The chief of Namibia's Hereros on Thursday called for massive aid from Germany, saying a "Marshall Plan" would show that Berlin was sincere when it apologized for its extermination campaign against the tribe a century ago.
German Development and Cooperation Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul issued the formal apology last weekend at an event commemorating the massacres in 1904 of tens of thousands of Hereros who had rebelled against their German colonial rulers.
Herero Chief Kuaima Riruako told a news conference on Thursday that the apology was not enough and that massive reparations must follow.
"In light of the admission on Germany's behalf, a Marshall plan and programme must be presented to the Herero people," said Riruako.
"Germany's sincerity in this gesture of apology has to manifest itself in real terms," he said.
Between 45,000 and 65,000 Herero died after German officers issued an extermination order against the tribe in 1904 to crush an uprising against colonial rule.
The tragedy is remembered by Namibia's 120,000 Hereros as genocide perpetrated by Germany, which ruled then German South West Africa from 1884 to 1915.
"The Herero people's present circumstances are a direct result of Germany's imposed war of extermination against the Herero nation", Riruako said.
"There is sufficient evidence that the government of Germany benefited economically from the near demise of the Herero people.
"Today, Germany is the heir to the spoils of this ill-conceived expansionist campaign, executed by Kaiser Wilhelm II and is now among the eight leading economies of this world", Riruako said.
Germany has repeatedly ruled out reparations and contends that the 500 million euros in aid it has given Namibia since 1990 is to the benefit of all Namibians.