New ambassadors to Ghana and Cameroon raise hopes for greater momentum in coming to terms with colonial history
Thomas Fues (Berlin, 13 August 2026)
In past years, German diplomacy has shown limited interest in addressing its colonial legacy. Namibia plays a special role here, partly due to the comparatively high number of people of German descent in the former colony of South West Africa. However, the attempt – launched in 2015 and as yet unfinished – to acknowledge the genocide against the Herero and Nama through a ‘Joint Declaration’ with the Namibian government and to make symbolic compensation payments does not count among the Foreign Office’s finest achievements. A research project on colonial policy commissioned by the Ministry has not led to any in-depth reflection on the diplomatic handling of the pervasive, systemic violence of the German Empire.
It is therefore all the more encouraging that Germany’s newly appointed ambassadors to Ghana and Cameroon are now taking an active interest in the colonial past. In some other former colonies, only individual project-based steps in this direction have been taken.
It is striking that the leadership of the Federal Foreign Office has so far addressed the colonial period only in isolated instances, even though there is a clear commitment to Africa as a ‘continent of opportunity’ (Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul). What is missing is a comprehensive strategy on the part of German diplomacy to come to terms with colonial history and to determine possible implications for the Federal Government’s policy.
Ghana
As eastern Ghana was part of Deutsch-Togoland, the country has direct historical ties with Germany. Frederik Landshöft, who has been the German Ambassador to Ghana since last year, is one of the strongest advocates of proactive diplomacy aimed at acknowledging historical injustices. His speech, delivered at the invitation of the Ghanaian President at the international conference on the United Nations Declaration on the Slave Trade convened in June 2026, could not have been clearer:
“Germany stands by its historical responsibility. We do our utmost to actively address the legacy of our colonial past through dialogue with affected countries and societies. One priority is our commitment to the return of ancestral remains and cultural property from the colonial era.”
On that occasion, the Ambassador announced the restitution of four cultural belongings from Kpando in the Volta Region, which had been translocated during the colonial era and are held by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. He also reaffirmed Germany’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the Ghanaian Restitution Committee, led by Minister of Culture Abla Dzifa Gomashie and the distinguished professor of archaeology Kodzo Gavua.
Cameroon
The German Ambassador to Cameroon, Christian Sedat, also took up his post in 2025. On various occasions, he has publicly expressed his interest in coming to terms with colonial history. For example, by attending the annual memorial service for Rudolf Duala Manga Bell and Ngoso Din, where he publicly acknowledged the injustice of the German judicial murder on 8 August 1914. It remains to be seen whether he also supports the call for rehabilitation.
A few weeks earlier, the ambassador had visited the traditional dignitaries of Bafoussam and Batoufam and addressed the intertwined colonial history.
In early July 2026, the German Embassy received the delegation from the Maka communities before their departure for Freiburg and assured them of its support for the return of their ancestors. However, the Cameroonian government has so far refused to grant permission for the physical repatriation of the human remains.
Namibia
The German Embassy in Namibia is focusing its efforts on the renovation of colonial buildings and memorial sites. The restoration of the Alte Feste in Windhoek is being funded with a total of 210,000 euros in 2025 and 2026. The structural preservation of the Herero and Nama mass graves in Swakopmund will be supported over the same period with a total of 40,717 euros. The restoration of the headframe at the historic mine site in Tsumeb was funded with 59,800 euros in 2025.
Burundi
The Embassy in Burundi is involved in initiatives relating to Germany’s colonial past in this part of former German East Africa. One example is the planned renovation of a building dating from the German colonial era in Gitega, with a view to establishing a museum there to house Burundian cultural artefacts from German museums and archives.
Tanzania
The highlight of Germany’s engagement with its colonial past in present-day Tanzania was the visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in early November 2023 to the Songea memorial site, where he asked for forgiveness for colonial crimes. As far as is publicly known, the German Embassy has not backed up this symbolic act with any initiatives of its own, either before or since. It is therefore not surprising that there is scepticism in Tanzania regarding the sincerity of Germany’s efforts. For example, the renowned scholar Nancy Rushohora (University of Dar es Salaam) comments on the German Embassy’s erection of a commemorative stone to mark Steinmeier’s visit at the Songea memorial site as follows:
“I argue that the process and effort of placing the German president’s name prominently on the stone could be interpreted as a way for Germany to absolve itself of historical guilt without engaging deeply with the ongoing legacies of colonialism. I see the stone as mocking and diverting attention from the lived experiences and suffering of Tanzanians and positioning Germany at the centre of the memorial, potentially overshadowing the site’s primary purpose – to honour the victims of the Majimaji War… This has led many to be sceptical and to question whether the apology was primarily a political gesture benefiting Germany rather than a sincere attempt at reconciliation with Tanzania.”
Togo
Serap Güler, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, visited Togo in May 2026 and, as she had announced in advance, also addressed Germany’s colonial past during her discussions there:
“In Togo, we want to work together to further advance a comprehensive reappraisal of Germany’s colonial past. We acknowledge the historical responsibility that arises from these dark chapters of the past. We cannot undo the atrocities of German colonialism in Africa. But by naming and acknowledging injustices, we can build trust and shape a better future together.”
In this case, too, there is no public record of any accompanying activities by the German Embassy there or the Federal Foreign Office.
Federal Foreign Office Berlin
On the basis of the ‘Joint Guidelines’ issued by the Federal Government, the state governments and the umbrella organisations of local authorities, the Co-ordination Council for the Return of Cultural Property and Human Remains from Colonial Contexts was established in March 2026. It acts as the central point of contact at government level, supports structured return processes and coordinates the collaboration between the parties involved in Germany. The secretariat of the Co-ordination Council is provided by the Federal Foreign Office; its chair is Minister of State Serap Güler.
It is striking that, to date, there are no specific budget lines in the Federal Foreign Office’s financial framework for coming to terms with colonial history. Furthermore, there is no overarching strategy setting out how, and through which specific measures, German diplomacy intends to address colonial legacies. Nor is there any indication of the consequences this might have for bilateral relations with former colonial territories, or for cooperation with regional communities of states, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and continental organisations, such as the African Union.