Political Science: Negotiation Case Study II Analysis

This case study analyzes the negotiation process that led to Namibia's independence, focusing on the role of pre-negotiation, strategies employed, and the motivations of key players like the United States. The pre-negotiation phase played a crucial role in lessening the conflict, paving the way for Namibia's independence, the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola, and the closure of ANC military bases. The study identifies key strategies such as the development of a framework plan and the Reagan administration's approach. The conflict in southwestern Africa involved the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South African Defence Force (SADF), escalating due to socio-economic issues and tribal tensions. The American motives for mediation stemmed from a desire to prevent Marxist influence in the region, with Chester Crocker leading the efforts. The settlement involved multiple rounds of negotiations, focusing on resolving linkages, moderating public criticism, and fostering closer relations. The case study provides valuable insights into conflict resolution, diplomatic strategies, and the complexities of international relations, with references to relevant academic sources.

Running head: Negotiation case study II 1
NEGOTIATION CASE STUDY II
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Negotiation case study 2
NEGOTIATIOM CASE STUDY II
Guiding question
What role did pre-negotiation play in this case study?
In the case study, the pre-negotiation lessened the war that existed in Namibia and this finally contributed to an
agreement that enabled Namibia to gain independence. It also managed to ensure that the total Cuba troop
withdrew from Angola enabling Namibia to have peace. Moreover. It enabled the military bases of the ANC
(Africa National Congress) to be closed. Therefore, with the pre-negotiation, the war that had persisted for so long
was able to be stopped and Namibia was able to find peace (Berridge, 1989, pp. 463-479).
What strategies can you identify here?
a. Development of a framework plan which enabled a transition of Namibia to independence. This plan
enabled negotiations to be developed and an agreement was made with the military troops being
eliminated which thus enabled Namibia to be free and gain independence.
b. Reagan administration approach – this approach involved the US reaffirming intelligent links, moderation
of public criticism and the affirmation of a closer relation between US and the south Africans as this
could make negotiations easier.
Pop quiz
1. What was the nature of the conflicts in south-western Africa at the beginning of 1988?
The conflict occurred in Zambia, Namibia and Angola. This conflict was between the People’s Liberation
Army of Namibia (PLAN) which is a section of armed group of South West African People’s Organization
(SWAPO) and the South African Defence Force (SADF). The conflict resulted to massive war on the continent of
Africa since the Second World War and it was closely connected with the civil war in Angola. The conflict
escalated due to the use of divide-and-rule tactics, social-economic deprivation together with increased inter and
intra-tribal tensions.
2. What were the reasons for the apparent 'ripeness' of the conflict for a settlement?
The conflict had lasted for long and several attempts by the international court of justice and United Nations
to solve the conflict did not bear any fruits. Therefore, there was need to settle the conflict. In addition to that,

Negotiation case study 3
during the war, it contributed to economic and political instability and thus, there was need to come to an
agreement and settle the conflict amicably so as to ensure that, the country is able to advance economically and
have political stability (Lji, 2011, PP. 634-650.).
3. What were the American motives in seeking the mediator's role?
The interest of US in Namibia started in 1976. This was before the Portuguese African empire had
collapsed when most of the southern Africa had low global concerns on the state department. During
that time, the problems being faced by southern Africa was seen by the US as an Angolan disaster and
that is when US decided to intervene and reduce the conflict. Their main aim was to prevent Marxist
MPLA (The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola) from seizing power in southern Africa
(Rust, Tzanopoulos, Humle and MacMillan, 2016, pp. 1079-1094).
4. America's assets as a mediator (incl. Chester Crocker and American biases, if any - bearing in mind the
Consider distinction insisted on by Crocker between the issue of outside intervention in the region and
the civil war in Angola)?
As mediators, US appointed Chester Crocker as the new Under Secretary of the state of African affairs.
Chester and the apartheid regime introduced the constructive engagement concept. With this concept, they assisted
the Namibians on economic, diplomatic and military fronts. Croker conducted multiple discussions with SWAPO,
other parties and stakeholders on shuttle diplomacy. The main focus for the negotiations and discussions was to
remove the South African troops from Angola and Namibia Cuban troops from Angola.
5. Explain the nature of the settlement?
During the settlement, Crocker started by first engaging others on multiple rounds while sensitizing
shuttle diplomacy in other places including New York. Croker’s priority was to aid in solving the problem of
linkages first so as to make the negotiation to be easy. The settlement also involved the US reaffirming intelligent
links, moderation of public criticism and the affirmation of a closer relation between US and the south Africans
as this could make negotiations easier (Saunders, 2014, pp.27-36).

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References
A. Berridge, G. R. (1989), 'Diplomacy and the Angola/Namibia Accords', International Affairs, Vol. 65, No. 3,
pp. 463-479. (Journal article) retrieved from https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/angola/1989-06-
01/angolanamibia-accords
B.Iji, T., (2011), Contact Group Diplomacy: The Strategies of the Western Contact Group in Mediating
Namibian Conflict, Diplomacy & Statecraft, Volume 22, Issue 4, pp. 634-650.(Journal article).
Retrieved from https://www.kas.de/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=d58cea79-6a30-8fff-600d-
4e17742f7c7d&groupId=252038
Rust, N.A., Tzanopoulos, J., Humle, T. and MacMillan, D.C., 2016. Why has human–carnivore conflict not
been resolved in Namibia? Society & Natural Resources, 29(9), pp.1079-1094. (Journal article).
Retrieved from https://kar.kent.ac.uk/55371/1/Why%20Has%20Human%20Carnivore%20Conflict
%20Not%20Been%20Resolved%20in%20Namibia.pdf
Saunders, C., 2014. Namibian diplomacy before Independence. Namibia’s Foreign Relations: Historic
Contexts, Current Dimensions, and Perspectives for the 21st Century, pp.27-36.(Journal article).
Retrieved from
http://www.osisa.org/sites/osisa.org/files/publications/towards_a_developmental_state_final.pdf