In recent weeks, the NRO has released two letters in support of AFRINIC, the Regional Internet address Registry for Africa. This was prompted by the recent series of challenges to AFRINIC, entailing some 40 different legal actions which have included a lengthy injunction suspending AFRINIC’s bank accounts, lawsuits against individual staff and directors, and a widely reported damages claim for USD 1.8 billion.
At APNIC we believe that this situation has seriously challenged the stability of AFRINIC, and in fact threatened its very existence. As an RIR, AFRINIC plays an extremely important role in the global management of the Internet, and these threats to the organisation also threaten the Internet in Africa, and elsewhere. This is of vital concern to the NRO and to APNIC, and we believe to all members of the RIR communities.
The NRO’s first letter appealed to the African community to come together in support of its RIR, AFRINIC; affirming that “the regional activities and policy process of an RIR are solely in the hands of [the AFRINIC] community, but the health of those processes is of paramount importance to the global Internet community.”
In the second letter, the NRO addressed the Government of Mauritius, at AFRINIC’s request, to draw attention to the seriousness of the current situation. With this letter, the NRO felt that it was essential to highlight the risk of disproportionate damage to the Internet which may be caused, inadvertently or not, by individuals pursuing private interests through legal processes (whether or not they are entitled to do so). We also felt it was appropriate and necessary to reiterate the reasons for AFRINIC’s original choice of Mauritius as its operational base.
We respect and understand that RIR Members may sometimes have disputes with the decisions or governance of their RIR; and also, that there may be concerns with governance and operational decisions of any RIR which may legitimately result in legal actions. While those processes must of course be resolved through established mechanisms, we felt strongly obliged to highlight the current risks and try to have them better understood.
As a co-author of the NRO letters, I recognise there may be parts which community members do not agree with; but in writing this post I hope for your understanding of why APNIC has stood in support of AFRINIC on this matter. This is not only in support of one of the NRO’s members, but moreover in support of the health and stability of the RIR system, which is in turn in the interests of all APNIC Members.
Readers will no doubt hear more about the situation at AFRINIC from various sources as the legal process progresses. I urge members of the community to take an active interest in these events, and a critical approach to information which is received. But moreover I urge community members to continue to support the vital role of all RIRs, including AFRINIC, to join its community of members in defence of its stability and continued operations, and to seek positive solutions to whatever challenges are faced.
The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.
My question is – why are you *enabling* AfriNIC’s bad behaviour. The reality is that enabling what AfriNIC has been doing over the last few years is not supporting the system – it is supporting bad behaviour by an RIR rather than telling them to stop. Truly supporting the RIR system – would be to support the members who want true bottom up governance. Support the members when the members say the election was rigged. Support the members when we cry foul about violations of the bylaws the board turns a blind eye. Support the BOTTOM UP SYSTEM. Instead, you support *afrinic* not the system – and in doing so – break down the trust between the members and AfriNIC – and inadvertently destroy the very system you claim you are supporting.
To my opinion this is enabling misconduct to be officiated. It is anarchists and other corrupt individuals leading to the erosion of societies. It always starts with one illegal act. Stop promoting misconduct ✋️ ⏹️
Hello dear all,
Stop with your hypocrisy. You who support the leading members of afrinic, you are only settlers in the pay of a very specific group. I was expecting to see in your letter some form of solution to bring to the members of the community whom you think you are helping, but I am surprised to feel that you are rather in adoration, veneration and the perpetuation of a system which will always put hurt the members of the community. For me your letter did not find an echo and will not find it. We need change. A new era is coming, finished with hollow speeches we need concrete action and you are not bringing it.
I wish you a good reading…
There is no dignity when we support corruption and disenfranchisement of people which is AFRINIC stands for, let’s do the right thing so we Africa can be free. I stand for freedom,
This is not right at all!
This bottom-up approach is just distasteful.
“I came across the NRS’s response to this post, check it out below:-
https://www.nrs.help/post/nrs-s-response-to-mr-paul-wilson-s-recent-blog-post”
“I came across the NRS’s response to this post, check it out below:-
https://www.nrs.help/post/nrs-s-response-to-mr-paul-wilson-s-recent-blog-post
Read this response from NRS:-
https://www.nrs.help/post/nrs-s-response-to-mr-paul-wilson-s-recent-blog-post
NRS responded to this, interesting read..
https://www.nrs.help/post/nrs-s-response-to-mr-paul-wilson-s-recent-blog-post