On October 3, Germany celebrated the country’s reunification in 1990
Why do the Germans commemorate October 3? A short answer could be: It marks the day when West and East Germany were unified. But this answer does not portray its full meaning to the world.
As with other countries’ Independence or Liberation Days, the importance of the German Unity Day goes far beyond the national character, it has a universal meaning.
November 9, 1989, an important day in German history
It marks the political turning point and stands for freedom for 16 million citizens of the socialist German Democratic Republic (GDR).
In a peaceful revolution, the people in the GDR stood up against the regime in East-Berlin and, with the downfall of the Berlin Wall on that day in November, they were regaining their freedom.
Finally, the path was cleared to reunify the divided Germany. The time of the German turnaround was full of moving stories, glows of faith, and peaceful protests that culminated in the toppling of the regime and the reunification of Germany.
It had been made possible through a policy of reconciliation and rapprochement and decades of civil society dialogue and finally forced over by courageous people.
But what about the time before the turnaround?
It all began with the end of World War II, the victorious powers divided Germany into four sectors.
Berlin got divided, too. In the beginning, people were free to move from one sector to another, but many of them left the faltering GDR to go to the west. On August 13, 1961, the GDR stroke back in closing the western frontiers.
Only weeks before, the Secretary-General of the Socialist Unity Party had claimed in public: “Nobody is planning to build a wall.” A lie, as time has told.
The people were trapped, walled inside the GDR. Families got separated, streets were bricked up.
The GDR citizens were deprived of their liberty in many ways: The socialist state knew no free elections; freedom of speech was restricted, as the press was controlled by authorities.
In Berlin, a 167-kilometer long wall was erected with barbed wire trenches and watchtowers. Many tried to flee. At first, subterranean in so-called flight tunnels. Later, in converted cars or with hang gliders.
Hundreds did not make it and had to pay with their lives for the attempted escapes. In the late 80s, the people’s discontent grew. People want to escape the regime; they demand free elections and constant freedom to travel.
In 1989, the people’s demands got answered: After 28 years, the GDR opened all boundaries.
The reunification was not merely an intra-German affair
On October 3, 1990, Germany was officially reunited, the GDR ceased to be and that got many other things going. By that, the way was paved for the end of Europe’s division and the end of the Cold War.
The unification of Germany followed as a result of intensive political negotiations with the allies and neighbours.
Luckily other countries’ apprehensions that an economically-strong united Germany in the heart of Europe could threaten the established stability in Europe did not prove true. Instead, a new era of democracy and peace had begun.
Much progress has been made but the work is not yet finished
The unification was a great fortune, but even 30-years later it is still an ongoing challenging process, as equal conditions between Germany’s east and west are still to be established. Europe has also to fight against plenty of tears in unity.
And today? In Berlin, the wall is still present at some corners, as a sign of history and a symbol for unity, law, and freedom. Despite the obstacles, the reunited Germany is fully committed to peace and security worldwide. Germany will continue to support the world with all its strength against the law of the strongest.
What can we all learn from the German Unity Day?
The message of this history is that great things are not achieved alone – but only in cooperation with partners. Covid‑19 has brought big challenges to our global community. But when nations come together, challenges will automatically be reduced.
Physically, we all have to keep our distance at the moment. But politically, we do not! We urgently need to create proximity between our nations. Rwanda has shown the world how it has successfully been leading its people through the pandemic.
Germans are impressed by it and are proud that Germany counts as one of Rwanda’s close partners. Too often Africa appears in Europe as an object of generous concern. But Germany is ready to learn from its mistakes.
30-years of German unity are an occasion for people in the world to look back to remember the importance of multilateralism. Only the world as a team will be courageous enough to rebuild the future.
The writer is the German ambassador to Rwanda
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