Namibia Urged to Halt Port Plans on Shark Island Amid Genocide Grave Concerns

Namibian authorities are facing calls to pause plans for extending a port on Shark Island, a site with a dark history as a concentration camp during the early 20th century genocide under German colonial rule. The non-profit research agency Forensic Architecture has warned of the credible risk of disturbing human remains from the 1905-1907 period when the island was used to brutally imprison indigenous Herero and Nama people.

Why this matters: The discovery of potential mass grave sites on Shark Island highlights the importance of preserving historical sites and respecting the cultural heritage of indigenous communities. It also underscores the need for governments and corporations to prioritize human rights and cultural sensitivity in their development projects, especially when operating in areas with a history of colonialism andgrapples, legacy.

During the genocide, which Germany formally acknowledged in 2021, an estimated 100,000 Herero and Nama people were killed or died from starvation, rape, forced labor, and beatings in what many historians consider the first genocide of the 20th century. Shark Island itself was the site of a concentration camp where historical accounts suggest 3,000 to 4,000 prisoners perished, with their bodies callously discarded into the sea.

The Namibian government's current plans involve expanding the port on Shark Island to support the production and export of green hydrogen to Europe by German company Hyphen. However, some local groups view the project as a new form of colonization, extracting African resources for European benefit, and are demanding a halt to development on what the Nama people still consider sacred ground. "Shark Island is a sacred place. We want our people to be able to come and understand the pain and suffering of our forefathers who died a very painful death," said Paul Samuel, great-great-grandson of a Herero chief.

Using ground-penetrating radar, Forensic Architecture has detected soil anomalies on Shark Island, identifying potential mass grave sites. The agency is now urging for a moratorium on all construction projects in the area until the presence of human remains can be thoroughly investigated and any graves fully protected. "Construction would further desecrate and compromise Shark Island as a site of archaeological, historical, and cultural heritage," warned Agata Nguyen Chuong from Forensic Architecture.

The discoveries by Forensic Architecture underscore the historical and cultural significance of Shark Island. While the site currently serves as a national heritage landmark and tourist destination, the push to halt port development plans reflects the island's somber past and the need to protect the memory of those who suffered and died there over a century ago. As Namibia grapples with this difficult chapter of its history, the fate of the Shark Island port extension hangs in the balance.

Key Takeaways

• Namibian authorities plan to extend a port on Shark Island, a former concentration camp site.
• Forensic Architecture warns of potential human remains from 1905-1907 genocide on the island.
• Local groups oppose the project, viewing it as a new form of colonization.
• Shark Island is considered sacred ground by the Nama people, who demand a halt to development.
• Forensic Architecture urges a moratorium on construction until potential graves are investigated.