Tanzania's government is considering legal action to force former colonizer Germany to pay reparations for alleged atrocities committed over a century ago, the country's defense minister said Wednesday.

The government will seek compensation over tens of thousands of people who allegedly were starved, tortured and killed by German forces while trying to put down rebellious tribes, minister Hussein Mwinyi told lawmakers.

"We will consider steps taken by Kenya and Namibia governments in seeking reparations from Britain and German governments, respectively," he said.

Germany ruled Tanzania, then known as Tanganyika, from 1890 to 1919.

There was no immediate response from the German embassy in Tanzania.