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

[Andrew Alston]

Again,

Please read what that email said – this is how *I* will be voting – and if you CHOOSE to vote this way – this is why I think it’s a good idea – if you are NOT voting – please vote in an appropriate manner.
Furthermore – never ONCE in that email did I refer to my position as a board member – nor did I use my board position to promote any candidate. I stated opinions, I sent an email in my personal capacity, and I said – this is my endorsement and why.  I never implied I was reprsenative of the board, I never signed my email as such, and I stand by the email.  But believe what you will Badru, you always do 😊

Thanks

Andrew


From: Badru Ntege <badru.ntege at nftconsult.com>
Sent: Friday, 5 July 2019 07:04
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
Yes I will no always read all your emails since they are generally too long and use to many words to make a simple point.
The main issue here is not about the rights of someone lobbying for a particular slate of candidates.  But I see an attempt to make a point against an individual who volunteers her time to serve the community.

We all have volunteered including you Andrew as a Board Member.  In your time as board members I have searched my archives and I will share the bellow text from one of your emails that came into my inbox back in 2016.   Thus my earlier reference of the “Pot calling the Kettle Black”
In my view we need to move away from character attacks and focus on positive aspects of growing and sustaining AfriNIC.  The contents of the email bellow were your subjective views and we accepted your view as much as it was far from reality.

Email Authored By Andrew Alston (board member at the time)
Hi All,

I’m going to take a bit of an unusual step for me here, as promised in earlier emails, and I am now ready to officially endorse certain candidates for the AfriNIC elections.

I state openly that I do NOT yet know the entire slate, however, due to time limitations and knowing what I know about the candidates I refer to below, as well as at least some of the candidates running against them (which I have heard from those candidates running directly), I feel I’m in a position to take a strong and unequivocal stance here and am ready to state to the community at large my views on this.

Hence, in the next AfriNIC election, there are three seats open, one independent seat, one north african seat and one west african seat.

On the West African seat, I am endorsing Sunday Folayan.  Sunday is the current chair of the AfriNIC board, and despite many trying circumstances in the year and half since he has taken the chair, AfriNIC has made tremendous progress.  Indeed, in Pointe Noir we were credited with giving the community transparent information and financials for the first time in 10 years.  Sunday and his leadership played a huge part in this and his institutional knowledge and the way he has run the board have been critical to the improved situation we are starting to find ourselves in.

On the North African seat, I am endorsing Hytham Ek-Nakhal.  Hytham is currently the deputy chair of the board, and again, in the year since he took that position, he has proved very capable and also carries deep institutional knowledge from a prolonged tenure on the board.  I have found him to be fair, reasonable and willing to both have his views and debate the views of others in the search for a consensus approach.  Hence, I strongly believe that his tenure on the board should continue.

On the Independent seat, here I am endorsing Mike Silber, who many of you know.  I do not know if the current board member for this seat is going to be running again, but irrespective of that my endorsement will stand, due to specific skills I believe the AfriNIC board requires.  Mike has many many years in the industry, and his work with ICANN and within the addressing space is well documented and well respected.  In addition to that, Mike is legally trained and that is something we desperately need within AfriNIC as we look at the bylaws, as we move into an era where there is a governance committee, there are bids of control and various other issues.  It is that legal skill set that we are missing directly on the board (yes, we have legal council, but it is a very different thing to have someone who has that kind of legal knowledge actually sitting on the board).

I need to also point out, in the event of the board losing both Sunday and Hytham, and the independent seat going to a weak candidate, AfriNIC will be in serious trouble.  Firstly, I personally do not believe that the board has anyone who is anywhere close to as capable as Sunday or Hytham for the positions of chair and vice chair respectively, and whoever comes in could not take those positions no matter how strong, since those positions require institutional knowledge that comes from time served on the board.  My reasoning for endorsing Mike is made plain above.

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.

Please feel free  to address any questions to me.  As stated in previous emails, as soon as the proxy generation system is open, for those that wish to use that route, I will supply details on how to use it.

Thanks

Andrew




From: Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com<mailto:Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com>>
Date: Thursday, July 4, 2019 at 10:31 AM
To: Badru Ntege <badru.ntege at nftconsult.com<mailto:badru.ntege at nftconsult.com>>, 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

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<mailto:badru.ntege at nftconsult.com>>
Sent: Thursday, 4 July 2019 07:03
To: Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com<mailto:Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com>>; 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

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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