{"id":37793,"date":"2023-01-21T16:52:42","date_gmt":"2023-01-21T16:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/the-1904-1908-genocide-reparations-is-it-time-for-mediated-negotiations"},"modified":"2023-01-21T16:52:42","modified_gmt":"2023-01-21T16:52:42","slug":"the-1904-1908-genocide-reparations-is-it-time-for-mediated-negotiations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/the-1904-1908-genocide-reparations-is-it-time-for-mediated-negotiations","title":{"rendered":"The 1904-1908 Genocide Reparations: Is it Time for Mediated Negotiations?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>CANDIDLY SPEAKING, the German government must come to terms with the fact that the atrocities committed by the Schutztruppe against the Ovaherero and Nama people from 1904-1908 is genocide.<\/p>\n

They need to solemnly undertake strenuous efforts to find an amicable and durable solution to revive hope for the dangling negotiations.<\/p>\n

Punitive measures brought to bear on Germany to pay reparations to the Jews in the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I is a stark reminder that peace entails an absence of war and no form of overt violence is a substitute for negotiations.<\/p>\n

Former US secretary of state Dean Acheson said: \u201cNegotiation in the classic diplomatic sense assumes parties more anxious to agree than to disagree.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite formidable challenges in the current negotiations, they remain the only viable means to a meaningful settlement.<\/p>\n

However, it appears Germany and Namibia have reached an impasse since initialling a ‘Joint Declaration’.<\/p>\n

Namibia requested the German government to renegotiate the \u20ac1,1 billion euro set out in the ‘Joint Declaration. Disappointingly, no response has yet been received.<\/p>\n

Germany’s last stated stance was that the matter is closed.<\/p>\n

STICKING POINTS<\/p>\n

While Germany appears to have hardened its position, affected communities in Namibia remain unmoved.<\/p>\n

As a result, a neutral mediator may be the only viable alternative to rekindle hope of further negotiations.<\/p>\n

Typically, a mediator determines differing views of the facts, and clarifies what each side considers a satisfactory resolution.<\/p>\n

The mediator then moves back and forth between the teams with suggestions, proposals and counter-proposals aimed at a resolution that will satisfy each party’s core interests.<\/p>\n

The mediator will want to know what terms are acceptable to each side.<\/p>\n

Sticking points in the current negotiations have been identified as an unequivocal apology for the genocide; a review of the \u20ac1,1 billion euros; a review of the implementation of related programmes over 30 years, taking into account the amount offered and interest rate fluctuations; including Ovaherero and Nama descendants in the diaspora; a demand for restorative justice; reshaping the technical committee; and establishing a new committee with a new mandate as visualised in the Namibian parliamentary genocide resolution of 2006.<\/p>\n

A demand by representatives of the affected communities for a tripartite and direct renegotiation on an equal footing with the Germans, with the Namibian government as a facilitator, is another bone of contention.<\/p>\n

How do we overcome these roadblocks?<\/p>\n

NAVIGATING THE PROCESS<\/p>\n

In principle, if negotiators struggle to successfully close a deal, they should consider bringing in replacements.<\/p>\n

A new team on one or both sides may be able to take a new look at the negotiation with fresh eyes, free of emotional baggage and personality clashes that could hold back the negotiations. Alternatively, negotiators may suggest enlisting the assistance of a trusted and neutral mediator, as mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n

Each side would have to disclose its bottom line and what is most important to them. The mediator then tells the parties if a ‘zone of possible agreement’ (zopa) exists.<\/p>\n

It is the range in negotiations in which two or more parties can possibly find common ground.<\/p>\n

Parties can work towards a common goal and reach a potential agreement that incorporates at least some of the other’s ideas as well, referred to as the ‘bargaining range’.<\/p>\n

The bottom line signifies the worst possible outcome one side might accept and a final barrier to negotiations proceeding.<\/p>\n

When the terms parties are willing to agree on overlap, said to be a positive bargaining zone, an agreement is possible.<\/p>\n

But when the terms don’t overlap, it is called a negative bargaining range. A deal can’t be reached unless parties are willing to adjust what they feel is acceptable.<\/p>\n

Therefore, parties should determine their best alternative to a negotiated agreement before any discussions.<\/p>\n

In summary, negotiations are complex. However, it doesn’t need to be an agonising experience.<\/p>\n

Proper planning, preparation and a solid understanding of key negotiation concepts and strategies can help parties create maximum value in the agreement.<\/p>\n

Our government must get fully engaged.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Major general JB Tjivikua served in the Namibian Police for 27 years.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Namibia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. CANDIDLY SPEAKING, the German government must come to terms with the fact that the atrocities committed by the Schutztruppe against the Ovaherero and Nama people from 1904-1908 is genocide. They need to solemnly undertake strenuous efforts to find an amicable and durable solution to revive hope for the dangling negotiations. Punitive measures […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":37792,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6],"tags":[234,236,233],"class_list":["post-37793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-files","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-namibia","tag-namibia"],"yoast_head":"\nThe 1904-1908 Genocide Reparations: Is it Time for Mediated Negotiations? - Namibia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/the-1904-1908-genocide-reparations-is-it-time-for-mediated-negotiations\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The 1904-1908 Genocide Reparations: Is it Time for Mediated Negotiations?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Namibia. CANDIDLY SPEAKING, the German government must come to terms with the fact that the atrocities committed by the Schutztruppe against the Ovaherero and Nama people from 1904-1908 is genocide. They need to solemnly undertake strenuous efforts to find an amicable and durable solution to revive hope for the dangling negotiations. 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