German President Seeks Forgiveness in Tanzania for Colonial-Era Atrocities
German President apologizes for colonial-era atrocities in Tanzania during official visit, acknowledging historical wrongs and seeking forgiveness for Germany's past actions
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued an apology on Wednesday for the colonial-era atrocities perpetrated by German forces in Tanzania. During his three-day visit to the East African country, he expressed remorse to the descendants of local war hero Songea Mbano, acknowledging the wrongdoing of Germans towards their ancestors.
Mbano and his fighters were executed by hanging and beheading for leading the Maji-Maji rebellion against the German authorities in the early 1900s. The rebellion resulted in the deaths of approximately 300,000 individuals, representing roughly one-third of the native population at the time. This uprising was fueled by the cruel suppression inflicted upon the local people by their German colonizers.
Tanganyika, which is now known as present-day Tanzania, was initially under German rule before it came under British administration in 1919.
Speaking at the Maji Maji Museum in Songea, southern Tanzania, German President Steinmeier acknowledged the long-lasting impact of this cruel act on multiple generations, as stated in the provided transcript of his speech.
"I feel deep shame for the actions of German colonial soldiers toward your forefather and his fellow warriors," he expressed, though reparations were not mentioned.
Tanzanians have taken to social media to respond to Steinmeier's apology, with one commentator stating, "Apologies are insufficient... Germany must provide reparations."
Germany has acknowledged its past colonial atrocities in Africa, and in 2021, it pledged €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) to provide support to the descendants of the victims of the colonial-era genocide that targeted the Herero and Nama ethnic groups in Namibia, a former German colony over a century ago.
Steinmeier assured the Mbano family in Tanzania that Germany would make efforts to locate the remains of Mbano, who may have been taken to Europe by German soldiers for burial following his execution.
"We understand that during that time, numerous remains from East Africa were brought to Germany and kept in museums and anthropological collections. There could be hundreds, or even thousands, of skulls," he explained.
The German president affirmed his dedication to collaborating with you in locating Chief Songeas skull in Germany. Furthermore, Steinmeier embarked on a trip to Zambia on Wednesday, with the objective of cultivating alliances, as stated by the German government.
It coincided with German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs tour of West Africa earlier in the week. Scholz visited Nigeria and Ghana where he held bilateral talks with the countries leaders.
