German president’s apology for colonial-era killings in Tanzania, a welcome first step

During a visit to Tanzania, German President Frank Walter Steinmeier has asked the country and its people to forgive Germany’s colonial abuses under its colonial rule.
Steinmeier’s move to ask for forgiveness from the descendants of hundreds of thousands of victims of violence committed by German colonial rulers more than a century ago has been broadly welcomed by Tanzanians, who, however, add that this should be followed by more steps.

“I would like to ask for forgiveness for what Germans did to your ancestors here,” the German president said during a visit to the Maji Maji Museum in the southern Tanzanian city of Songea. “I want to assure you that we Germans will search with you for answers to the unanswered questions that give you no peace.” Steinmeier also vowed to raise awareness of the atrocities in his country, in a step towards “communal healing” of the bloody past.

Steinmeier’s appearance has been hailed as a historic moment, since, never, has a German head of state thus openly admitted the country’s colonial crimes. His apology reportedly left many descendants of those killed visibly moved and relieved, as it was seen as “a healing moment” for the communities.

Tanzania suffered under German colonial rule for decades before and after the start of the 20th century, and saw one of the region’s deadliest uprisings from 1905 to 1907. In 2017, Tanzania’s then-government said it was mulling legal action to seek compensation from Germany for the people who were starved, tortured, and killed by its forces. Steinmeier’s trip to Tanzania coincided with a visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa, his third trip to Africa in two years, aiming to deepen economic ties between Germany and the two African nations.