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We have not talked to Somalia yet
Ibrahim Mead
Ottawa, Canada
When it comes to negotiation you better do your homework.
Information is power, so one has to invest time, in doing some
research especially for those who don’t know much of the subject
matter Don’t be reactive, you better be proactive depending how you
did in your home work.
I am not dismissing nor demeaning the Istanbul Somaliland /Somalia
talks. In fact I am praising it as a first step forward, however I
am asking- “where is the beef!?”
One party (Somalia) had bombed the other party to obliteration!
One party (Somalia) had ransacked and stolen the Somaliland material
goods which have been accumulated for hundred years!
The (Somaliland delegates) victimized party did not insist that the
perpetrator of that heinous crime which is (Somalia) the other
party, at least come to terms and confess what they have done to the
survivors of the ethnic cleansing scheme executed by them and
apologize for that inhuman act, then move on! First thing first. But
that did not happen in Istanbul!
Some disputes are either the result of honest differences of
understanding or an intransigent rejection of one party confessing
their mistakes. The parties could be only part of the problem when
they do not communicate their views effectively or when they beat
around the bush instead of pushing their thumbs on the (problem)
ball.
They worry that the other side may be trying to take advantage.
In most cases, the people on both sides of a conflict may or may not
have good intentions and may or may not want to be fair. What is
needed is better communication.
According to one professional negotiator, “you don't have to be
intimidating, disagreeable, or deceitful to reach an agreement with
the other party.
True negotiating is not adversarial; it is working together to come
to an agreement “
If the other party tries to infringe against you, don’t be dump
frozen gazing them like an abandoned dog, bring them back to the
crux of the problem; if he hears you, you have gained in that round
of talks.
In the Istanbul talks between Somaliland and Somalia that round did
not take place and what was that!? That was to-do-first-thing first
i.e.:
a) Answer and confess what has happened to Somaliland immediately
when they joined the union with Somalia and there after for the sole
reason of uniting five Somali speaking countries or regions in east
Africa and for the love of somalia. in the end it all failed
b) the ethnic cleansing of the people of Somaliland by the
government of somalia in the 80s, then let every person in the hall
be hasty to hear, measured to speak and slow to fury. That did not
happen in Istanbul
Steps to Negotiating your ultimate goal
1 Take charge of making sure your agenda is there and then kick off
the negotiation
2. Your leverage in a negotiation comes from how serious and a
believer of your cause you are, and how knowledgeable of the matter
you are. Did the Somaliland crew have that leverage in Istanbul!?
3. Do your homework. When it comes to negotiating, information is
power, so invest-time, in doing some research Use all resources
available to identify your point
4. Get inside the other party’s heads. Find out as much as you can
about the people with whom you will be negotiating and how they see
the situation. What are their goals, concerns, and constraints?
How are they likely to react to your request? Answers to these
questions will help you choose the right approach and anticipate
obstacles in your way.
5. Aim high. Negotiators who set higher targets do better. Don’t
undersell yourself
6. Ask for more than you want. Negotiation involves a back-and
forth-discussion.
Leave yourself enough jiggle room between what you ask for and what
you want, so that you can make some concessions and still achieve
your target.
This can sometimes be the hardest step but it will save you from
walking away with too little. Honesty and knowledgeable crew are a
pre-request in this endeavor
Lessons learned: the Somaliland negotiating team must have the
knowledge and what it takes to do that job. They must have the
emotional, psychological and historical connections with Somaliland
tragic history. They must be intertwined with that history After all
it was the people who died for her and decided to restate their
sovereignty and independence. This did not come from the leadership
camp, thus the people must be part of the negotiating team next
time.the government must be open to the people It must not be
confined to government officials who are not even qualified to do
this kind of business. The negotiating team must not be selected in
a dark room, in a mysterious way!
Those who have only the material connection to profit personally on
the expense of Somaliland and the destiny of Somaliland must not be
there at all.
Our best and brightest must be fully utilized for negotiations and
for other important national matters. Why the government is afraid
of them!?
Peace and prayers
Ibrahim Mead
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