Hello,<br><br>I think this issue need to be explained to the rest of us. It seems that Journalists are doing their best to inform us from various corners and views- as we can see in the article shared with us by one of us.<br>
<br>There is need to have a "corporate statement" that would quench the thirsty for information. What happened is a lesson to be learned by us all.<br><br>Cheers<br><br>With out prejudice: Yassin<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">
2008/10/31 Sophia B <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:sophiabekele@gmail.com">sophiabekele@gmail.com</a>></span><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>A very interesting article on this subject. Also interesting that no one posted it on this list provided that it was sent to an AfriNic Board member for clarification. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>It is obvious that the concept of 'corporate governance' and 'conflict of interest' are not yet known to the "few Sr. Technical men" that are to embark on a major initiative that involve Internet governance and policy. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Internet policy is a serious subject and let us please separate the "nics" from the "dots". /sb</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="http://www.heise-online.co.uk/networks/Dispute-over-africa-domain--/news/111809" target="_blank">http://www.heise-online.co.uk/networks/Dispute-over-africa-domain--/news/111809</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>28 October 2008, 15:52</div>
<div></div>
<h1>Dispute over .africa domain </h1>
<div>
<p>IP address registry <a href="http://www.afrinic.net/" rel="external" target="_blank">AfriNIC</a> has had to postpone its planned November meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa due to disagreement over the future location of a .africa address zone. According to AfriNIC, the hosts, the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation, have cancelled the ninth meeting of the African address registry at short notice. The organisation has thus found itself forced to divert to Mauritius. The reason for the Ethiopian cancellation appears to be wrangling over the operation of the planned .africa top-level domain (TLD).</p>
<div></div>
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<p>According to AfriNIC and Ethiopian press reports, the meeting was cancelled by the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Communication. The Ministry was apparently persuaded by warnings from the Ethiopian telecommunications industry that AfriNIC is hoping to thwart plans to host .africa from Addis Ababa. Ethiopian supporters of the .africa domain claim that AfriNIC wants to shift administration of the African domain to Mauritius or South Africa.</p>
<p>AfriNIC CEO Adiel Akplogan stated that the organisation was concerned with IP addresses, not domains, "Let me make quite clear that .africa and the domain business is not part of AfriNIC's activities." He also noted that his organisation welcomes the initiative for an African address zone and would support any proposal aiming towards open and transparent operation. However, AfriNIC would not itself get involved in domain activities.</p>
<p>Akplogan has, however, been involved in a .africa project in a consultancy role, as one AfriNIC employee told heise online, noting that this did not represent a break with AfriNIC's fundamental position of neutrality. At the same time, AfriNIC has emerged, probably without actually itself taking any action, as a possible supporter of a different .africa project. It's impossible to say just how many different .africa initiatives there are. At the ICANN meeting in Paris, Ethiopian businesswoman Sophia Bekelele spoke of efforts to bring the various initiatives together.</p>
<p>One model for this could be the agreement among Asian countries on the <a href="http://www.dotasia.org/" rel="external" target="_blank">.asia domain</a>. Governments were persuaded not to object to the application, which originated in Hong Kong. Should conflict over .africa arise, ICANN's recently published <a title="rules for dispute resolution">rules for dispute resolution</a> may be of some help. </p>
<p>(<i>Monika Ermert</i>)</p>
<p>(<a title="Liam Proven" href="mailto:lghp@heise-online.co.uk" target="_blank">lghp</a>) <br></p></div></div><div><div></div><div class="Wj3C7c"><br><br>
<div><span class="gmail_quote">On 24/10/2008, <b class="gmail_sendername">Eric M.K Osiakwan</b> <<a href="mailto:emko@internetresearch.com.gh" target="_blank">emko@internetresearch.com.gh</a>> wrote:</span>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div style="">
<div>Vika and All,</div>
<div><br> </div>
<div>Generally, we have to treat such pontification of ignorance and lack of understanding with outmost contempt. Time has a way of dealing with such matters.</div>
<div><br> </div>
<div>Whats important is the ability of the AfriNIC team to turn around quickly and establish a venue for the next meeting and ensure uptake. We all need to join the effort to ensure a successful meeting.</div>
<div><br> </div>
<div>Good job, guys.</div>
<div><br> </div>
<div>Eric here</div>
<div><br> </div>
<div><br> </div><br>
<div>
<div><span>
<div>On 24 Oct 2008, at 00:04, Vika Mpisane wrote:</div><br></span></div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div><span>
<div>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">Hi Adiel,</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">It's really saddening to see that some in the Ethiopian media have seen it fit to write a long, baseless, and frankly ignorant article. I guess it's safe to assume that political paparazzi is alive & strong in Addis!</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">I don't know what AfriNIC has done to deserve this (I haven't attended an AfriNIC meeting since Mauritius in 2006), but I'm certain the journalist will need to explain some of the allegations. Has this journalist ever heard of some entities called AfNOG, AfrISPA, Afren & AfTLD? The answer is obviously not!</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">I'm also offended in particular by the allegation to the effect that AfriNIC is pushing for dot Africa to operate from South Africa. While I can't deny or admit this allegation (me being not an AfriNIC member), I'm concerned that it involves South Africa & may end up becoming an accusation against South Africa trying to muscle its way to have dot Africa operated in SA. I'm not at SA government to speak from a position of authority in this regard, but as a South African, I'm greatly displeased with the article it tends to make negative allegations about us.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">I feel sorry for ETC for I don't think they've done anything wrong (I'm subject to correction). And I do hope that when calmness & sanity finally prevails in this journalist's mind (& possibly in the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport – depending on how blameworthy they are in this). I hope they'll realize they've greatly missed a simple point big time & they went on a crusade of innuendos not only against a particular organisation, but also against another country (this being SA).</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">Hope you & the rest of AfriNIC keep well inspite of the baseless accusations. Forward to AfriNIC Mauritius – I'm convinced Mauritius will provide a suitable environment where informed participants will be able to discuss the dot Africa project without undue journalistic & government interference.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">Regards,</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p><b><b><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">Vika Mpisane</span></font></b></b><font color="navy"><span style="color: navy;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">General Manager</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">.za Domain Name Authority</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">&</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">Treasurer</span></font><font color="navy"><span style="color: navy;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">African Top Level Domains (AfTLD)</span></font><font color="navy"><span style="color: navy;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: navy; font-family: Arial;">Tel: +27 11 275 0082</span></font></p>
<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></p></div></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></font></div>
<p><b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">From:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"> <a href="mailto:africann-bounces@afrinic.net" target="_blank">africann-bounces@afrinic.net</a> [<a href="mailto:africann-bounces@afrinic.net" target="_blank">mailto:africann-bounces@afrinic.net</a>] <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">On Behalf Of </span></b>Anne-Rachel Inné<br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Thursday, October 23, 2008 9:28 PM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> <a href="mailto:africann@afrinic.net" target="_blank">africann@afrinic.net</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> [AfrICANN-discuss] About the change of AfriNIC-9 venue!</span></font></p></div>
<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><span><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Dear Colleagues,</span></font></span><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br><br><span>As you know, the AfriNIC-9 will now be held in <span></span><span>Mauritius</span></span><span> instead of Addis</span><br>
<span>Ababa (Ethiopia) as originally planned. This is a unique situation which</span><br><span>has affected us all. Many of you have written to us to inquire about what</span><br><span>happened and to propose your help. Thanks to you all and your continued</span><br>
<span>support to what we are trying to do at AfriNIC for our Region.</span><br><br><span>We sincerely apologize for the short notice in change of venue. The previous</span><br><span>host, ETC (Ethiopia Telecommunication Corporation) notified us that "for some</span><br>
<span>serious reason that needs time to clear and settle", they have been obliged</span><br><span>to pend and postpone hosting the AfriNIC-9 meeting. After some </span><br><span>investigations to</span><br><span>try to understand what is happening, it comes to our attention that </span><br>
<span>the decision</span><br><span>comes from the Government who has requested them to suspend the hosting of</span><br><span>AfriNIC-9 meeting because they are suspecting AfriNIC to have some </span><br><span>hidden agenda</span><br>
<span>with the meeting in <span></span><span>Addis Ababa</span></span><span> and which has to do with </span><br><span>"dotAfrica". According</span><br><span>to the article reproduced bellow, the bid for dotAfrica presented by a Company</span><br>
<span>(leaded by and Ethiopian) has been sabotaged by AfriNIC which prevent her to</span><br><span>settle the Headquarters in <span></span><span>Ethiopia</span></span><span>. According to information we have been</span><br>
<span>able to collect, she claimed that AfriNIC want to host "dotAfrica" in <span></span><span>South</span><br><span>Africa</span></span><span> or Mauritius so is against Ethiopia interests by doing so.</span><br>
<br><span>Let's me precise here that dotAfrica and domain names businesses are not part</span><br><span>of AfriNIC's activities. This serious misunderstanding of what AfriNIC is</span><br><span>exactly and its role in the community injected by a person claiming to be the</span><br>
<span>defender of Africa, has unfortunately denied Ethiopia a chance to host this</span><br><span>important African technical community meeting. Indeed, AfriNIC which mission</span><br><span>is, amongst other to "to support Internet technology usage and development,</span><br>
<span>and promoting <span></span><span>Internet governance</span></span><span>" in <span></span><span>Africa</span></span><span> welcomes the opportunity to have</span><br><span>a domain (dotAfrica) that will identify the African landscape on the Internet.</span><br>
<span>AfriNIC will probably support any Open, transparent and bottom up initiative</span><br><span>to have a dotAfrica domain for the region but will never run or participate</span><br><span>in doing any business related to that domain names or any other.</span><br>
<br><span>AfriNIC remains a service to the community and strongly disagree with personal</span><br><span>interests and political pressures on its bottom up processes. AfriNIC developed</span><br><span>its legitimacy from the community and will remain a community driven </span><br>
<span>organisation</span><br><span>as are the four other Regional Numbers Registries. We have already run our</span><br><span>Public Policy meeting in eight other countries without any issues. Our main</span><br><span>objective has always been to raise awareness among the local community of the</span><br>
<span>country we are visiting and involve them more into the process.</span><br><br><span>AfriNIC remains open to all of us.</span><br><br><span>Let's keep focused on our numerous objectives and challenges in an open</span><br>
<span>transparent with a systematic multi-stakeholder approach.</span><br><br><span>The whole story is now released by the local press and available at:</span><br><span><a href="http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/content/view/3048/54/" target="_blank"><span><span>http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/content/view/3048/54/</span></span></a>. A very quick English</span><br>
<span>translation is also attached.</span><br><br><span>Kind Regards.</span><br><br><br><span>______________________________________________________________________</span><br><span>Adiel A. Akplogan Tel. +230 466 66 16</span><br>
<span>Chief Executive Officer, AfriNIC Fax: +230 466 67 58</span><br><span><a href="mailto:adiel@afrinic.net" target="_blank"><span><span>adiel@afrinic.net</span></span></a> - <a href="http://www.afrinic.net/" target="_blank"><span><span>www.afrinic.net</span></span></a> sip: <a href="mailto:adiel@voip.afrinic.net" target="_blank"><span><span>adiel@voip.afrinic.net</span></span></a></span><br>
<span>-------</span><br><span>Register to attend AfriNIC-9 Meeting in Mauritius: <span></span><span>22-28 November 2008</span></span><br><span><a href="http://meeting.afrinic.net/afrinic9/index.htm" target="_blank"><span><span>http://meeting.afrinic.net/afrinic9/index.htm</span></span></a> </span></span></font></p>
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