The government of Namibia has asked for economic reparations and payment for stolen land, though they are willing to accept development aid. The Herero and Nama peoples, on the other hand, have asked for the land to be returned, and for reparation for each person killed, and rejected the aid. These demands have been made to the German government, who acknowledges the genocide, and has begun return of the remains they brought back to Germany for experimentation and research.

     Both the Namibian government and the Herero and Nama peoples have spoken before the United Nations, and suits have been brought in the United States courts by Namibia and members of the Diaspora. The dissension between the tribes and the government, however, hinder legal recourse. The Germans are attempting to deal with the government, but not the indigenous people. The attempt at negotiating reparations has thus failed.