[rpd] FW: Opposition to the changes in the AfriNIC Soft Landing Policy

Wed Dec 6 14:16:38 UTC 2017

For the Record - I am against this Soft Landing Proposal.

Having said that,

The way that I understand the policy proposal system to work is: (and
I've done a few myself, some passed, some didn't)

1) Some one or group of people make a policy proposal. They send it to
the PDP Co-Chairs and get a proper reference No for it and its posted to
the PDP Mailing list.

2) The Policy is discussed on the list and the policy is (if necessary)
refined. People indicate whether they support the policy or not and
suggest changes if appropriate.***I believe this is where the bulk of
work should happen.* This is usually the case in other regions.

3) At the next AFRINIC meeting (assuming that the policy has been in
circulation long enough - something like four weeks) - the policy is
further presented to the community members who are there. More exchange
of ideas can happen here - but it should be understood that only a
fraction of the PDP mailing list participants will be in the room. At
the end of the discussion period the PDP Co-Chairs try and gauge
consensus (actually - this should be an ongoing thing, bringing into
account what happened on the mailing lists before the meeting as well as
in the discussion period in the room). If they feel that a rough
consensus has been reached - they move the policy to "Last Call". If not
- the policy reverts to the mailing list.

4) Once Policy is in Last Call - as long as there are no substantial
objections - the policy will be sent to the Board for ratification. This
is usually a "Rubber Stamp" affair - unless there is something harmful
in the policy towards the Company.

5) If there are no updates to the policy in about a year(?) - the policy
is withdrawn. The authors can also withdraw at any time.

That's the generalisation of the current process.

The appeal process is what I understand can be brought about if a policy
passes Last Call yet still has very unhappy people. I'd say that Andrew
is getting ready for an appeal - because the appeal process is new -
never been used - so is getting his ducks in a row. Right now - I sense
that enough people are objecting to this policy that it won't get past
Last Call, thus the Appeal Process will not be tested.

We've seen this before, Sunday (our esteemed Chair Person) and one other
proposed a policy for universities - so they could get IPv4 address
space easier. Before the meeting - this had very positive support. At
the meeting (in Lusaka, Zambia) it passed to last call - but got shot
down by (as I remember) a small but vocal handful of people. I still
think this was a dumb thing to happen - but anyway.

I think also at AFRINIC that we have created a culture that if this
policy is proposed by X - then it must be bad. That is a very unhealthy
culture and, to coin a phrase, cutting your nose off to spite your face.
Best example of this is the "Inward bound international transfer" policy.

On 06/12/2017 11:07, Christian Ahiauzu wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> In fact, I have been wondering what the last call period is for.
> Please put me on the right lane. Is the last call period not meant to
> check if there are still any objections to the policy proposal under
> discuss? If my postulation is true, then it means if sustained
> objections are found at this point, then the policy will likely not be
> sent for ratification by the board.
>
> If all the above be the case, then was there actually any need for
> invoking an appeal process at this point? Why didn't we just get
> further  objections to the policy proposed and discuss way forward. I
> am really lost here and need clarification especially from Andrew who
> initiated the Appeal process.
>
> BR
> Christian.
>
> On Dec 6, 2017 8:17 AM, "Alan Levin" <alan at futureperfect.co.za
> <mailto:alan at futureperfect.co.za>> wrote:
>
>     Oops sorry I wasn't finished..
>
>     On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 9:08 AM, Alan Levin
>     <alan at futureperfect.co.za <mailto:alan at futureperfect.co.za>> wrote:
>
>         I am surprised that we have not heard from these "Chairs", in
>         fact I had to look up who the chairs actually are...
>
>         I believe that this page
>         shows: https://afrinic.net/en/community/policy-development/pdwg
>         <https://afrinic.net/en/community/policy-development/pdwg>
>
>         1. Dewole Ajao
>
>     2. Sami Salih
>
>     Gentlemen, we clearly require your leadership here. 
>
>     Whilst I see the Board has been acquiring legal assistance to deal
>     with their own group, we really don't want to get to that level
>     here please. 
>
>     Dewole, Sami - you do not have sufficient support for this policy,
>     please end this discussion and start a new one!
>
>     Kind thanks
>
>     Alan
>
>      
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Mark James ELKINS  -  Posix Systems - (South) Africa
mje at posix.co.za       Tel: +27.128070590  Cell: +27.826010496
For fast, reliable, low cost Internet in ZA: https://ftth.posix.co.za

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