[rpd] Competitions Tribunal Petition

Fri Dec 29 19:26:36 UTC 2017

To be clear, while I join Andrew in the appeal of this decision by the Co-chairs, I have no interest in his competitions tribunal proceedings or any other legal proceedings outside of the defined AfriNIC bylaws, rules, pdp, and other procedures. 

I believe this matter is best handled within the RIR system. While I have no confidence in the Co-chairs understanding of consensus at this time, I believe there are procedures within the RIR system for addressing that and I am hopeful that one or more of the bird and/or appeal committee will address the issue appropriately within the defined system. 

Owen

> On Dec 29, 2017, at 10:07, Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com> wrote:
> 
> There was warning given – that should this policy proceed – it would be a threat to business interests and expansion of the internet on the continent.  I and others, are no longer prepared to wait to see if that threat materializes, it is best to see that threat eliminated BEFORE it becomes reality, hence the timing of this action.
>  
> Irrespective of how one THINKS AFRINIC should be constituted – that is immaterial – it is what it is today – and changing it is a time consuming process that would require super majority votes and other things – so – this action is very applicable to the situation we find ourselves in *TODAY*
>  
> I asked the board months ago to investigate the possibility of being in violation of this act and to advise this community as to what steps could be taken to rectify it if they were in violation – despite promises – no word back was ever received – so now – we will test it through the tribunal and let them decide.
>  
> I have said repeatedly on this list – a threat to corporate ISP interests on this continent by this organisation and by policy through the PDP will eventually result in severe problems – it is absolutely unconscionable that this community has a.) refused to pass an inbound transfer policy to allow entities to buy space in from outside when they need it b.) refused to pass a bi-directional transfer policy to achieve the same c.) decided to declare consensus on a policy for which there was no consensus which prevents organisations that have spent significant sums of money from getting any IP space whatsoever on the continent because of the lack of (a) and (b).
>  
> That my friend, was always going to be met with swift and resounding challenge – and I have said repeatedly – perhaps the time has come to test these things beyond the waters of the lay people on this list – that time has come
>  
> Andrew
>  
>  
> From: Kangamutima zabika Christophe <funga.roho at yandex.com>
> Date: Friday, 29 December 2017 at 11:59
> To: Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com>, rpd <rpd at afrinic.net>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] Competitions Tribunal Petition
>  
> Andrew,
>  
> Je comprends parfaitement ton raisonnement, cela d'abord dû à la forme juridique adoptée par AFRINIC, elle devait être une organisation supranationale avec un siège en Ile Maurice mais actuellement elle est une organisation à but non lucratif enregistrée en Ile Maurice.
>  
> Mon problème ce serait d'abord l'applicabilité d'une telle décision et le caractère prématuré de cette action parceque ce n'est encore qu'un projet de politique. AFRINIC gère des ressources allouables à des réquérants résidant dans un ensemble des pays. Dans tel cas, nous devrions avoir un texte unique régissant cette matière et ratifié par tous les Etats faisant partie de la couverture géographique d'AFRINIC (ça pourrait être un traité international, une charte comme celle des Nations Unies) mais dans le cas d'Afrinic il y a quand même une bouillabaisse juridique. Parceque tous les pays n'ont peut être pas le même entendement d'une notion comme la position dominante abusive en matière de gestion des ressources numériques. Et le jugement que cette cour rendra, se fera sur base de la procédure d'élaboration des politiques d'Afrinic ou sur base d'un texte analogue en vigueur en Ile Maurice?
>  
> KANGAMUTIMA ZABIKA
>  
> Andrew
> I understand your reasoning perfectly, firstly due to the legal form adopted by AFRINIC, it must be a supranational organization with a seat in Mauritius but currently it is a non-profit organization registered in Mauritius.
> My problem would be first the applicability of such a decision and the premature nature of this action because it is still only a draft policy. AFRINIC manages resources that can be allocated to applicants residing in a set of countries. In such a case, we should have a single text governing this matter and ratified by all the States forming part of AFRINIC's geographical coverage (it could be an international treaty, a charter like the one of the United Nations) but in the case of Afrinic there is still a legal bouillabaisse. Because all countries may not have the same understanding of a notion like the abusive dominant position in the management of digital resources. And the judgment that this court will make, will be made on the basis of the procedure of elaboration of the policies of Afrinic or on the basis of a similar text in force in Mauritius?
>  
>  
>  
> 29.12.2017, 18:44, "Andrew Alston" <andrew.alston at liquidtelecom.com>:
> Just to clarify,
>  
> You are incorrect in your assessment.  You are correct that Mauritian law only effects those domiciled in Mauritius EXCEPT:
>  
> AFRINIC is domiciled in Mauritius – and subject to Mauritian law in all actions.
> The Mauritian competitions act states explicitly that it reserves the right to sanction companies who are in violation of anti-trust outside of its borders (I would presume this would mean that said companies may find themselves barred from doing business in Mauritius – but it’s a little unclear)
> If AFRINIC’s actions as a Mauritian domiciled company run afoul of Mauritian law – it is that law that they are subject to – irrespective of where those actions are taken.
>  
> Yes – theoretically – AFRINIC could move to another country – however – that would probably not be looked at terribly favourably by the Mauritian entities – companies that deliberately try to evade the law end up with directors in lots of hot water.  Furthermore – the MoU that AFRINIC signed to create itself, if I remember correctly, explicitly states that it will be domiciled in Mauritius and lists a ton of reasons why – changing that – would not be simple.
>  
> Let us test this now – if myself and the other petitions are wrong – no harm no foul – and no one has anything to be scared of – however – the time for that test is nigh – let us see
>  
>  
> Andrew
>  
>  
> From: Kangamutima zabika Christophe <funga.roho at yandex.com>
> Date: Friday, 29 December 2017 at 11:16
> To: Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com>, rpd <rpd at afrinic.net>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] Competitions Tribunal Petition
>  
> Alors là on se retrouve dans une berezina. Ceux qui se sont investis à imposer leur vision, faute d'avoir réussi, s'adresse maintenant à une juridiction mauricienne. Une fois encore, se pose la question de la qualité de cette juridiction de statuer sur une cause concernant l'ensemble des pays africains et une partie de l'océan indien. Si cette cour à une compétence nationale, le verdict qu'elle rendra concernera t elle seulement les ressources numériques qui seront allouées dans sa zone d'influence c'est-à-dire l'Ile Maurice (au cas où elle ordonnait l'abrogation de cette proposition de politique)? En plus, peut-on ester en justice contre un projet de loi ou une proposition de règlement non encore ratifiée ou promulguée? Tout ceci dénote une procédure un peu cavalière, corollaire d'un acharnement non justifié contre la décision prise par le groupe de travail dirigé par les 2 co-présidents. Concernant les lois de mon pays, aucune juridiction d'Ile Maurice n'a ni la compétence matérielle encore moins la compétence territoriale de juger une cause portant sur les modalités d'attributions des ressources numériques destinés entr'autres à des requérants résidents en République Démocratique du Congo (surtout que nous sommes affiliés à l'OHADA pour le droit des affaires). Concernant, toute ressource pouvant être allouée à une entité ou personne vivant en RDC, toute décision prise par cette juridiction serait de nul effet.
>  
> KANGAMUTIMA ZABIKA
>  
> 29.12.2017, 17:56, "Andrew Alston" <andrew.alston at liquidtelecom.com>:
> Hi All,
>  
> Everything stated here is done in my personal capacity and is not necessarily representative of the views of any organization to which I am affiliated.
>  
> It is a sad day when it comes to this – but due to the significant business risks imposed by the potential ratification of the soft-landing policy, and the boards lack of response to repeated queries as to AFRINIC’s violation of Mauritian law – the time has come to now test these potential violations and to see if there is any recourse.
>  
> Since this document contains direct reference to issues of policy that would normally fall under the RPD – I am sending this to the list.  Those who wish to join the petition to the competitions tribunal can print this – sign it – and scan it back to me.  This document will be submitted to the competitions tribunal within the next 14 days – to give people a chance to digest its contents and decide for themselves if they believe they wish to be party to this action.
>  
> Note: As per the rules of the competitions tribunal – any signatory on these documents will be confidential and the names of the complainants will not be disclosed to AFRINIC – so there is no risk of victimization here.  Any signed copies received by myself shall be held in strictest confidence other than for the purposes of submission to the commission.
>  
> Please also note – the submission of this petition shall in no way prejudice the right to potential litigation against AFRINIC should companies and individuals feel that such is warranted.
>  
> Yours Sincerely
>  
> Andrew Alston
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> ,
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>  
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> KANGAMUTIMA  ZABIKA
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> Direction Générale des Douanes et
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>  
>  
>  
> -- 
> KANGAMUTIMA  ZABIKA
> Contrôleur des douanes
> Direction des Systèmes et Technologies de l'Information
> Direction Générale des Douanes et
> Accises
> DRC
>  
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