6 So You're Negotiating... Now What?

6.1 Overview

Getting to the negotiation table and actually having an ongoing dialogue with armed groups are sometimes wrongly viewed as the primary measures of successful negotiations, especially because of the challenges involved in initiating the dialogue in the first place. Of course these steps are crucial, however, the primary objective of the negotiations should be: to work, over time, towards an agreed outcome that will ensure provision of protection and assistance to those in need; preserve humanitarian space; and promote respect for international law. In pursuit of these objectives, the process of negotiation itself can have important 'spin off' effects in terms of building a relationship with the armed group which may help fulfill additional humanitarian objectives, separate from those being negotiated.

This chapter outlines some of the issues to be considered by humanitarian negotiators once negotiations are underway or have concluded, including: the implications of humanitarian negotiations with armed groups; commitment to, and enforcement of, any agreed outcome; and defining measures of success.