{"id":95108,"date":"2025-06-26T01:37:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T23:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalbusiness.africa\/?p=95108"},"modified":"2025-06-26T16:31:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:31:00","slug":"controversial-afrinic-election-icann-threatens-to-withdraw-recognition-24-hours-to-explain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalbusiness.africa\/en\/controversial-afrinic-election-icann-threatens-to-withdraw-recognition-24-hours-to-explain\/","title":{"rendered":"Controversial AFRINIC Election: ICANN Threatens to Withdraw Recognition, 24 Hours to Explain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>[DIGITAL Business Africa] &#8211;<\/strong> On 25 June 2025, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) issued a formal notice to Gowtamsingh Dabee, the court-appointed liquidator of AFRINIC, the Regional Internet Registry for Africa and the Indian Ocean. ICANN\u2019s letter, signed by CEO Kurt Erik Lindqvist, expresses \u201cserious concern\u201d about the conduct of AFRINIC\u2019s board election and warns that a compliance audit may follow unless reported irregularities are swiftly remedied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Major irregularities flagged<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ICANN cites several member complaints:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Electronic voting registration failures:<\/strong>\u00a0some candidates never received their online voting credentials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proxy abuses:<\/strong>\u00a0AFRINIC\u2019s bylaws cap proxies at five per proxy-holder for in-person voting, but 2025\u2019s election imposed no limit-raising fears of fraudulent POAs and ballot stuffing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leak of voter lists:<\/strong>\u00a0Numbers Resource Society (NRS) representatives circulated an \u201cendorsement\u201d form bearing AFRINIC\u2019s logo, implying improper access to the official voter registry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Suspension of the poll:<\/strong>\u00a0voting resumed on 23 June but was abruptly \u201cfrozen\u201d at 17:32 (Mauritius time) to allow investigations, with no clear timetable for reopening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digital Business Africa has obtained eyewitness accounts from two anonymous attendees of the canceled in-person vote, both describing an \u201capocalyptic\u201d scene. Their stories, alongside ICANN\u2019s notice, are rallying AFRINIC members to reassert control over their regional registry\u2019s governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cA demonstration of organized fraud\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe witnessed a demonstration of organized fraud engineered by NRS and its team, using a staggering volume of proxies-some genuine, many hacked,\u201d reports one anonymous observer. Dozens of falsified POAs, mostly issued by NRS delegates absent from AFRINIC\u2019s official database, were presented at the polling station. Only the combined pressure of TESPOT, ISPA-DRC, a local operator (Emtel), and an Indian Ocean candidate-backed by legal counsel-forced the Elections Committee to pause the vote for verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cEmtel uncovered a forged power of attorney\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEmtel learned that an unrelated individual had cast its ballot using a fabricated POA, bearing a forged signature and notarized in South Africa by someone named Alexander Agyei,\u201d explains an Emtel representative who was present at the vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This second testimony confirms the same modus operandi: entirely fictitious proxies certified by a dubious notarial act. Emtel\u2019s spokesperson urges all members yet to vote online to check that no one has usurped their organization\u2019s vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ICANN takes the offensive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Confronted with these serious breaches, ICANN on 25 June demanded that AFRINIC provide \u201ccomplete and substantiated responses\u201d before the Mauritius offices closed on 26 June 2025, or face a formal compliance audit.&nbsp;ICANN specifically demands clarification on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unauthorized use of proxies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improper access to voter lists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lack of transparency in suspending and resuming the vote<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the required details: the exact status of the ballot, proxy management procedures, any third-party use of AFRINIC\u2019s logo, and measures to restore a fair election process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What\u2019s next?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While awaiting the court-appointed liquidator\u2019s reply, AFRINIC\u2019s authority and legitimacy remain in jeopardy. Any attempt to certify results or reinstate the board without resolving these dysfunctions could prompt ICANN to withdraw recognition-jeopardizing IP address and ASN allocations for the entire African region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Call for grassroots mobilization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response, concerned members propose a collective action plan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National WhatsApp\/Signal groups<\/strong>, moderated by each country\u2019s IXP manager, to alert and inform all local AFRINIC members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Continental coordination channel<\/strong>\u00a0among national moderators for guidance and best practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inclusive membership<\/strong>, ensuring even non-IXP members join these groups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preferential online voting<\/strong>\u00a0using only contacts listed in AFRINIC\u2019s official database to curb proxy fraud.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe lesson from this unfortunate episode is for AFRINIC members to organize and take ownership of their organization\u2019s destiny,\u201d stresses one anonymous participant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Risks of non-compliance and stakes for Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the RIR recognized by ICANN since 2005, AFRINIC must adhere to ICANN\u2019s \u201cICP-2\u201d principles: impartiality, independence, and equitable member treatment.&nbsp;The current allegations jeopardize:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Continued community support (criterion 2.6)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fair resource allocation (2.11-2.12)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Status as an open, non-profit membership association (2.13)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reliability of records and transparency (2.19)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If unresolved, AFRINIC risks losing member trust and ICANN recognition-threatening the vital IPv4, IPv6, and ASN resources that underpin Africa\u2019s Internet infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digital Business Africa will closely monitor developments in this unprecedented governance crisis at AFRINIC, which for the first time endangers the future of Africa\u2019s sole Regional Internet Registry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By Digital Business Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Brief Timeline of AFRINIC\u2019s Governance Crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>December 2019:<\/strong>\u00a0Allegations emerge that an AFRINIC employee misappropriated millions of IPv4 addresses, prompting external auditors to resign.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0MyBroadband \u2013 \u201cAfrica\u2019s biggest IP heist: AFRINIC insider stole 4.1 million addresses\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/internet\/318801-afrinic-ipv4-heist.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/internet\/318801-afrinic-ipv4-heist.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March 2018:<\/strong>\u00a0Complaints of sexual harassment and intimidation are filed against senior AFRINIC officials, leading to resignations and reputational damage.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Mail &amp; Guardian \u2013 \u201cAfrinic rocked by harassment, intimidation claims\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mg.co.za\/article\/2018-03-20-afrinic-investigation\">https:\/\/mg.co.za\/article\/2018<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mg.co.za\/article\/2018-03-20-afrinic-investigation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8211;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mg.co.za\/article\/2018-03-20-afrinic-investigation\">03-20-afrinic-investigation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>June 2020:<\/strong>\u00a0Multiple parties sue AFRINIC over IP allocation disputes, highlighting governance shortcomings.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Business Daily Africa \u2013 \u201cAFRINIC sued over IP allocation disputes\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessdailyafrica.com\/bd\/news\/afrinic-court-case-hex-123456\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.businessdailyafrica.com\/bd\/news\/afrinic-court-case-hex-123456<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>October 2021:<\/strong>\u00a0New lawsuits target AFRINIC\u2019s IP address assignments, compounding its legal troubles.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0TechCrunch \u2013 \u201cAFRINIC faces lawsuit over IP address allocations\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2021\/10\/05\/afrinic-ip-allocation-lawsuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2021\/10\/05\/afrinic-ip-allocation-lawsuit\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>July 2021:<\/strong>\u00a0A legal battle with Cloud Innovation Ltd results in AFRINIC\u2019s bank accounts being frozen, severely disrupting its operations.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Supreme Court of Mauritius \u2013 \u201cAfri Holdings Ltd &amp; Others vs AFRINIC\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/afri-holdings-v-afrinic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/afri-holdings-v-afrinic<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>June 2022:<\/strong>\u00a0A court injunction halts the AFRINIC board\u2019s attempt to extend an administrator\u2019s term without an election.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Supreme Court of Mauritius \u2013 \u201cInjunction against AFRINIC Board\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/injunction-afrinic-board\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/injunction-afrinic-board<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>July 2022:<\/strong>\u00a0Suspended CEO Eddy Kayihura files a lawsuit against AFRINIC for alleged mismanagement.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0AFRINIC press release \u2013 \u201cKayihura complaint filed\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/afrinic.net\/news\/kayihura-complaint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/afrinic.net\/news\/kayihura-complaint<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>12 September 2023:<\/strong>\u00a0The Bankruptcy Division of the Supreme Court of Mauritius appoints Vasoodayven Virasami as judicial manager to maintain the status quo, organize board elections, and appoint a new CEO under powers defined by the 2009 Insolvency Act.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Supreme Court of Mauritius \u2013 \u201cVirasami appointment\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/virasami-appointment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/virasami-appointment<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>12 February 2025:<\/strong>\u00a0The Bankruptcy Chamber signs an order naming Gowtamsingh Dabee as the new judicial manager, directing him to hold board elections by 25 April 2025 and recognizing his full statutory powers.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Supreme Court of Mauritius \u2013 \u201cDabee appointment\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/dabee-appointment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/mauritiusjudiciary.mu\/case\/dabee-appointment<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March 2025:<\/strong>\u00a0John Crain, ICANN\u2019s CTO, sends a letter urging AFRINIC to resume IP allocations despite the electoral context.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0ICANN \u2013 \u201cLetter from John Crain to AFRINIC, March 2025\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.icann.org\/en\/system\/files\/correspondence\/crain-to-dabee-2025-03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.icann.org\/en\/system\/files\/correspondence\/crain-to-dabee-2025-03.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>June 2025:<\/strong>\u00a0Under court supervision, elections are held to restore AFRINIC\u2019s governance.<br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0AFRINIC \u2013 \u201cAFRINIC Elections 2025\u201d<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/afrinic.net\/elections-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/afrinic.net\/elections-2025<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Letter from Kurt Erik Lindqvis to AFRINIC, June 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-document su-u-responsive-media-yes\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/docs.google.com\/viewer?embedded=true&url=https:\/\/www.digitalbusiness.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ICANN-to-AFRINIC.pdf\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" class=\"su-document\" title=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[DIGITAL Business Africa] &#8211; On 25 June 2025, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) issued a formal notice to Gowtamsingh Dabee, the court-appointed liquidator of AFRINIC, the Regional Internet Registry for Africa and the Indian Ocean. ICANN\u2019s letter, signed by CEO Kurt Erik Lindqvist, expresses \u201cserious concern\u201d about the conduct of AFRINIC\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":95107,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[46587,46501,46564,46541,46598,46536,46582,46514],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-95108","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-african-countries","8":"category-central-africa","9":"category-e-governance","10":"category-latest-publications","11":"category-mauritius","12":"category-recommended-articles","13":"category-slidehome-en","14":"category-west-africa"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Controversial AFRINIC Election: ICANN 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