Melissa Chemam

1 week ago | rfi.fr | Melissa Chemam

Between 1904 and 1908, German troops massacred tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people who rebelled against Germany's rule in the southern African country. Genocide Remembrance Day was declared a national holiday in Namibia earlier this week, however the date of the commemoration – 28 May – chosen by the central government, is a source of dispute, with communities saying they were not consulted and choosing not to attend the official event marking the genocide.

1 week ago | melissa.substack.com | Melissa Chemam

Dear readers,This week, my mind is on Southern Africa, two countries in particular: South Africa and Namibia, but not only, you’ll see why. On Namibia: The country holds this week its first national commemoration for victims of mass killings by German occupiers in what is widely recognised as the first genocide of the 20th century, the government said. I wrote about it for RFI.

1 week ago | nz.news.yahoo.com | Melissa Chemam

Namibia on Wednesday held its first national commemoration for the victims of mass killings by colonial-era German troops, in what is widely recognised as the first genocide of the 20th century. However, some organisations representing victims' descendants have declined to take part. Between 1904 and 1908, German troops massacred tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people who rebelled against Germany's rule in the southern African country.

1 week ago | rfi.fr | Melissa Chemam

As relations between South Africa and the US hit their lowest point since apartheid’s end, President Cyril Ramaphosa heads to Washington to mend fences after years of frosty ties and dwindling aid under Trump-era policies. In this week's Spotlight on Africa we unpack what’s at stake - and what was said behind closed doors. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Donald Trump in Washington last Wednesday.

2 weeks ago | rfi.fr | Melissa Chemam

"President Ramaphosa will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest," South Africa's presidency said last week in a statement. Ramaphosa is in the US on a working visit from 19 to 22 May. "The president's visit to the US provides a platform to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries," the statement added.