[Community-Discuss] [rpd] Lobbying Allegations against Wafa Dahmani

[Andrew Alston]

Badru,
Yet again – you have not read my emails.
I fully the support the right to lobby in public forms
I fully support the right of any individual to have their say
I fully support the right of any member to change the rules using due process as defined
I have said this, over and over again.  I have also been very blunt about the fact that yes, I have lobbied, and I make no apology for that because I believe that the right to lobby in the pursuit of ones goals, and I believe that essentially, elections are political processes and democratic in nature, and democracy doesn’t work without that aspect of it.
However, what I fundamentally disagree with – is misrepresentation of who we represent – something I have never done – and I fundamentally disagree with people who are in a directly conflicted position taking a stand which deepens that conflict, especially when the neutrality directly relates to things that affect this community.
I will quote from one of the emails I sent – which was to an email list containing many members:
I will quote from two separate emails that I have sent over the years to lobby in previous elections – these were sent to email lists that were not AfriNIC – they were not sent to individuals unsolicited – and there are many on this list who can attest to the accuracy of these emails.
Email 1:
I am not going to tell any of you how to vote – What I tell you above is my perspective, and yes, its biased towards what I have seen and how well I know the candidates.  What I will say however, is that it is absolutely critical that the South African members get online and vote – or show up at the meeting and vote – or send proxies – whichever – but have your voice heard.  As we move into a time when v4 is running out (AfriNIC is into its final /8), and when we move into an environment where so much is changing with that runout – and particularly when we have managed to turn an organization around – we need to ensure that we have strong candidates that represent the community and can keep the organization alive.  Because without AfriNIC – without a registry – we end up in trouble – and no one really wants the alternative scenarios.
So what I will ask is, look at the candidates, consider them not from a geo-political perspective, not from a linguistic perspective, but consider them on the merits and what they have achieved – and then vote as you feel.  Their CV’s are all online.
Email 2:
As such, for those of you who are opting to issue proxies and wish to issue proxies to myself or via myself, this is how I will be voting.  Those of you who are voting electronically, I encourage you when the slate comes out to study each and every candidate – but I am confident that what I have said above will ring true, and I ask every member of this list to get out there and use your vote, either for one of these candidates or otherwise one of the others when the slate comes out – but please, make sure you vote, either via proxy or via online or in person.  I cannot stress how many critical issues are going to come up in the next year or two, and without a strong and independent board we could face serious issues.
Both emails quote above are a matter of record for the world to see – and here is the major difference – a.) No where do I misrepresent who I am speaking for b.) I explicitly state – these are MY views, accept them or reject them, but – please vote – because its important to have your voice heard.  Had Wafa sent an email saying “Hi, I’m Wafa, and these are my specific views on each candidate, and this is why I will be voting the way that I am, and if you like these choices, feel free to vote with me, but if you don’t, still have your say in the way you see fit”, I would be here, backing her to the hilt – however, what I saw was a.) a misrepresentation by implication of who was represented and b.) a blatant display lacking of neutrality from the chair of the appeals committee – particularly in light of the PDP and the position of co-chair – and I believe that brings the integrity and neutrality of said appeals committee into question when it is critical that trust in that committee remains high, which is why I agree with Sander when he called for her to step down to maintain the integrity of the appeals process.
So – I see no inconsistency with what I have said in the last 48 hours or what I have said, or done, over the years.  What I do see from you – yet again – is a highly selective reading of what I have said for your own purposes.

Andrew




From: Badru Ntege <badru.ntege at nftconsult.com>
Sent: Thursday, 4 July 2019 07:03
To: Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com>; wafa DAHMANI <wafa at ati.tn>; Paschal Ochang <pascosoft at gmail.com>
Cc: community-discuss <community-discuss at afrinic.net>
Subject: Re: [Community-Discuss] [rpd] Lobbying Allegations against Wafa Dahmani

Andrew
The archives of a number of mailing lists you belong to have many similar emails authored by you prior to elections.  We have also seen emails by you asking an entire community of ISPA not once but a number of times to act in a particular way.
Supporting a particular slate of candidates is not new in AfriNIC nor is it new any election.
And when you talk about neutrality ???  its like the Kettle calling the Pot Black.
Anyone in our bottom up position is free to lobby for a particular outcome.
As a board member you also lobbied and also ferried people to AGMM’s to strengthen your number of positions.  (you have denied this many times so lets call it a standing allegation)
The AfriNIC membership  time and time have shown their ability to make up their minds in elections after listening to many different views either shared on the floor by candidates, in the corridors by supporters on through email.
I see nothing wrong here at the moment.
However, if the community thinks that something has to change we also have mechanisms in place to make the necessary changes to course correct.
Regards





[signature_1558140432] [signature_1470109083]

From: Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com<mailto:Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com>>
Date: Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 8:16 PM
To: wafa DAHMANI <wafa at ati.tn<mailto:wafa at ati.tn>>, Paschal Ochang <pascosoft at gmail.com<mailto:pascosoft at gmail.com>>
Cc: community-discuss <community-discuss at afrinic.net<mailto:community-discuss at afrinic.net>>
Subject: Re: [Community-Discuss] [rpd] Lobbying Allegations against Wafa Dahmani

Wafa,
While I agree you have the right to campaign for anyone you so please – and I believe that is very much the case –


a.)    Your email was read as an implication that the ASO was supporting said candidates – which I don’t think anyone believes – and the question has been asked in multiple regions to clarify this

b.)    As a member of the appeal committee – you have to maintain a position of total neutrality – this email clearly demonstrates that you are in no way neutral on issues inside the PDP – since it advocates for the election of co-chairs with no reasons given why – and requests immediate mobilization to meet “our strategy”.  This email casts serious aspersions on the neutrality of the appeals committee.
Furthermore – can you please clarify to this list – what exactly is this strategy and who owns this strategy – you email in this regard was explicit – there is a strategy – it is held by multiple individuals outside of the purview of the general community – and it concerns the placement of members of the board and the PDP – and I think it is only fair that if lobbying is being done – it is transparent and open – and as such – I would like to know what this strategy is and where it comes from.
This email however, was entirely and totally unacceptable in my eyes – NOT because you lobbied – I believe as I have said many times that this is your right.  It is unacceptable because it implies positions on behalf of other groups who I for one do not believe share that position, it is unacceptable because it is a clear indication of lack of neutrality in a context where neutrality is required, and coming on the heels of what I view as a blatant and unfounded attack on a non-profit foundation – well – it really highlights certain things.
So again – myself, and I am sure others, would like to know about this strategy and who “our” is in the context of ths.

Thanks

Andrew


From: wafa DAHMANI <wafa at ati.tn<mailto:wafa at ati.tn>>
Date: Wednesday, 3 July 2019 at 18:50
To: Paschal Ochang <pascosoft at gmail.com<mailto:pascosoft at gmail.com>>
Cc: community-discuss <community-discuss at afrinic.net<mailto:community-discuss at afrinic.net>>
Subject: Re: [Community-Discuss] [rpd] Lobbying Allegations against Wafa Dahmani

Hello All,

I can campaign for anyone and its perfectly normal and I was speaking in my personal behalf.

I understand that my salutations can be confusing, but I sent this email in my personal capacity.

Being a volunteer at ASO - AC does not strip me off my rights to my personal opinions nor does it mean I can not campaign for my preferred candidates.

In anycase, the ASO - AC has its own procedures and communication channels.


Wafa Dahmani

Member AFRINIC Appeal Committee
Global IGF MAG member
ASO / AC excom member

________________________________
De: "Paschal Ochang" <pascosoft at gmail.com<mailto:pascosoft at gmail.com>>
À: "community-discuss" <community-discuss at afrinic.net<mailto:community-discuss at afrinic.net>>, "rpd" <rpd at afrinic.net<mailto:rpd at afrinic.net>>
Envoyé: Mercredi 3 Juillet 2019 16:09:18
Objet: [rpd] Lobbying Allegations against Wafa Dahmani

Hello all, this was posted under the thread of allegations against Larus Foundation so I did the honors of opening it as separate thread so that this two issues can be dealt with separately. This was posted as an allegation towards Wafa and the mail displays a act of lobbying. Can this honorable community be clarified on this allegations please.

Dear,

 My name is Wafa Dahmani from Tunisia, an active member of the African community and more specifically AFRINIC: member of the appeal committee; ASO / AC excom member and Ex Chair of Governance Committee '(GC) at AFRINIC.
I contact you to solicit your votes for the following candidates:

Board of Directors:
North Africa (seat 1)

Habin Youssef
West Africa (seat 2)

Ly Ousmane

South Africa (seat 5)

Mpisane Vika William

East Africa (seat 6)

Nkusi Robert Ford

Non-regional (seat 7)

Eshun Benjamin Adzenyamebeye



Election Number Resource Organization Number Council

Mustapha Ben Jemaa

Election Policy Development Working Group

Komi Elitcha
Sami Hassan

Election Governance Committee

Daniel Nanghaka
Ladies and Gentlemen, in the context of our strategy  and in order to preserve AFRINIC's interests for Africa and to be able to choose the right candidates for North Africa in the long term, it is desirable to join all our efforts and vote for these candidates who presents the best choice for an adequate board

the de facto vote online through your interface with AFRINIC is very simple for all categories except the policy development Working group where we want you to mobilize your teams on the spot to vote for our candidates
We strongly solicit your support

Thank you

Wafa Dahmani

member AFRINIC Appeal Committee
Global IGF MAG member
ASO / AC excom member



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