[rpd] Board Statement with regards to allocation of large blocks of IP Addresses

[Sunday Folayan]

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Dear Members,

Recently, there has been much discussion regarding the allocation of
large blocks of address space by AfriNIC.  Specifically, these
discussions have focused on allocations of space which some members of
the community feel is being utilized off continent and not for the
benefit of the AfriNIC service region.

The board of AfriNIC has followed these discussions closely, and has
also sought explanations from management on the matter.  It needs to
be stated that the board in its deliberations on the issue is being
guided by certain AfriNIC founding principles. Namely:

a.) AfriNIC is governed by its bylaws which were agreed to by the
members, and as such without a request from the members and a vote by
means of a special resolution to modify these bylaws, it would be
wrong for the board to step outside of these governing principles.

b.) AfriNIC IP allocations are governed by policies as set forth
through the policy development process.  The policy development
process is well documented and finds its legitimacy through the
community and bylaws.  Neither the board nor internal management of
AfriNIC have been given a mandate which allows for the violation of
the policies defined through the policy development process,  except
in the case where the board feels an urgent and necessary policy is
needed with immediate effect.  In this exception, such emergency
policy would still require ratification by the community at the next
public meeting.

The board has been given every assurance that AfriNIC staff followed
the IP allocation policy with regards to all allocations already made.

Consequently, the board cannot retroactively act on these allocations
because of perceived unhappiness in the community.  To do so would be
to disregard the RSA and current policies which are in place and the
policy formulation process that has been defined and agreed upon by
the community.

With regards to future allocations, again, it is the responsibility of
the board to provide a reasonable level of assurance to the community
that the company is acting within the bylaws and the policies defined.

It is of concern to the board that despite much debate, it is clear
that the current policies may potentially allow for external parties
to drain AfriNIC of large pools of resources with little benefit to
the region.

That being said, this concern must be weighed against the will of the
community as expressed through the policy development process. It
should also be clearly stated that the board does not review
allocations, and allocations submitted to AfriNIC are handled by staff.

Considering all of the above, the Board has advised the staff to
proceed with any applications as per current policies.

In the case of any dispute, the Board is looking at dispute resolution
mechanisms.

Staff have already reported to the community in the past, observations
on current policy implementation can be found at
http://internetsummitafrica.org/images/AIS14_assets/powerpoint_template/af20_policy_implementat_report.ppt

The board appeals to the community and to the AfriNIC members to
examine the current policies in light of the discussions held in
recent weeks and should the community feel that a change is needed,
the board encourages the members to follow the processes defined and
propose suitable changes to the current policies.

Sunday A. Folayan
Chair, AFRINIC Board
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