[Community-Discuss] Cotonou Meeting

[Noah]

Hi Adiel

Yes indeed history is important and no progress anywhere in the world has
ever been possible and successful without  challenges and indeed some
celebration is worthwhile as its through reflection that history can be
used as bench mark for more anticipated success.

I personally  dont see what the fuss is. AfriNIC has an outreach program in
place and they often support and sponsor different events time after time
where they see relevance and I tend to believe this is one of those similar
events.

I have been involved with capacity building organisations that have in the
past requested for some sort of support from AfriNIC and they manage to
send some funding whenever possible based on I believe a budget they always
set aside for the same.

We once requested AfriNIC for some funding support for a capacity building
event in Dar es salaam a year ago and even though AfriNIC had not planned
for it, they did manage to support us with some little funding and from the
2017 annual report I see a mention of the organisation as one of the many
AfriNIC supported.

My 2 bit coins

Noah
On 15 Jun 2018 19:43, "Adiel Akplogan (akp.com)" <adiel at akplogan.com> wrote:

> Andrew,
>
> I try to keep myself out of the AFRINIC’s community discussion over that
> past few years, but with all due respect, I would like you to please show a
> little bit of consideration to the history related to how thing happened in
> this region (even if you do not respect the people, respect the history).
>
> First of all, the event in Cotonou in 1998 was not only about AFRINIC, but
> the whole internet technical governance landscape. That is where discussion
> about other AF* initiatives such as AFNOC, AfTLD, AfREN … started. There
> were people who spent their time and resources to get the community
> together to discuss these initiatives, and set the ground principles that
> brought the ecosystem where it today. Even if you have your view and
> opinion on AFRINIC, I think many of other organizations are working and
> growing achieving the goal in mind then, which is to build a strong,
> vibrant, and engaged real African community on Internet governance topics.
> Have we succeeded to have every single people or Operators engaged? No, and
> that is not case anywhere in the world!! But we have to be proud and
> celebrate the achievement while learning from the mistakes along the road
> to improve and aim at a brighter future.
>
> Talking about AFRINIC, let’s not forget that it has been created, it has
> grown, and is able support the development of other groups to ensure a
> diverse ecosystem. Over 10 years, AFRINIC has made progress and found its
> seat within the global Internet community (while preserving its unique
> specificities). If unfortunately lately politics and personalization of its
> work is hampering its progress, we shouldn’t try to scrap all the work that
> many have done to get us where we are, where you can have a platform to
> express your view in the way you want as you do. Since 1998 the African
> community has grown, as has Internet penetration and its use. Let's
> recognize that.
>
> I am not saying this because, like many others on this list, I was in
> Cotonou[1], but for preserving something deep and dear to our African
> culture which is called RESPECT.
>
> I really call us all to remember something fundamental: anything we do
> here will not be possible if there is no community behind it. That is how
> the internet is technically governed. We need to focus on continuing to
> build and strengthen our community, nurturing its diversity and creating an
> environment that encourages open, candide but respectful exchange of ideas
> that can positively impact us all. Our diversity should be our strength not
> our weakness. Franche, English, Portuguese, Arabic, North, South, West,
> East, Central, Indian Ocean, does not define the Internet. The value it
> bring us does.
>
> Pausing and taking stock over what has happened over the past 20 years is
> not a bad thing and if any I* or Af* organization decides to contribute and
> share its experience that should be appreciated.
>
> Thank you.
>
> - a. (Speaking in my personal capacity as an African, an AFRINIC member
> and member of the global community who still believe in a bright future for
> the organization as a catalyst for the regional community).
>
> [1] - While I contributed to the discussion, I had no idea that my
> professional path would cross over with a hypothetical AFRINIC
> organization. I already had a very rewarding job at the time :-). I got
> engaged/involved then because as managing a small ISP, I felt the pain of
> getting IPv4 addresses from RIPE-NCC.
>
> > On Jun 14, 2018, at 23:55, Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.
> com> wrote:
> >
> > Hi AfriNIC Community and AfriNIC Board,
> >
> > I have a number of questions around the upcoming meeting in Cotonou on
> the 6th of July this year – what is being termed as a celebration of Africa
> IG 1998 – 2018.
> >
> > Firstly – can AFRINIC tell us, just how much money they are contributing
> to this event – keeping in mind that funds that AFRINIC spend are
> contributed by members, I think the community may be interested to hear an
> answer to this.
> > Secondly – can AFRINIC tell us if they truly believe this event if
> appropriate at this point in time – when the community has shown a total
> lack of faith in the board – when the company sits with a legal problem of
> being unable to elect directors or form quorum for another AGMM – coming on
> the back of a report that has to be commissioned into the conduct of
> AFRINIC board and management – which has never yet been shared with this
> community, is it really appropriate to be spending money on, partnering
> with, or having anything to do with a “celebration” of this nature.
> >
> > What is being celebrated?  20 years of us slowly moving towards complete
> collapse while the current board continues to bluntly ignore the questions
> about how they plan to solve the quorum issue for AGMM’s and election of
> new directors – despite it having been raised time and again?
> >
> > Please – I think we as a community deserve some answers – because that
> event – smacks of the AFRINIC saying “Qu'ils mangent de la brioche”
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Andrew
> >
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>
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