[rpd] [Board-Discuss] Call for Action: Modernizing the AFRINIC Policy Manual

Thu Oct 9 15:02:16 UTC 2025

Yes Sami, you got it.

However, also we must say that returning policies that reached consensus and had a positive impact analysis to the list will be like the board telling the authors and the rest of the community “we don’t mind the time you had spend on this, we don’t trust you, you’re irrelevant because we are the board, etc.”, so I don’t think it is a good way to start if we want to trust the new board members. As I just said, the board can only “not-ratify” a policy when it is going to harm the company.

Hopefully they already followed the PDP discussions and they are able to be informed by the staff and read the reports that are prepared when a policy proposal reach consensus.

Regards,
Jordi

@jordipalet

> El 8 oct 2025, a las 22:29, Sami Salih <sami.salih at outlook.com> escribió:
> 
> Thank you all for the active participation, I truly missed this spirit of debate.
> 
> If I may echo and translate Jourdi’s point: we need the Board to either ratify the proposal or return it to the list. Keeping it pending for an unnecessary period is not helping anyone.
> 
> In addition, we need the Board’s decision regarding the co-chair, as it is difficult to move forward without clear leadership and facilitation for the group.
> 
> I’m very glad to see things getting back on track 😄
> 
> Best regards,
> Sami
> 
> Sent from Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
> From: Caleb Ogundele <muyiwacaleb at gmail.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 3:48:53 AM
> To: jordi.palet at consulintel.es <jordi.palet at consulintel.es>
> Cc: rpd <rpd at afrinic.net>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] [Board-Discuss] Call for Action: Modernizing the AFRINIC Policy Manual
>  
> Hi Jordi,
> 
> Just a reminder that we have both been co-authors of a PDP process, which means you know I have an understanding of the PDP process, as you do. On the other hand, you're absolutely right that impact analysis is conducted before consensus is declared, and I appreciate you explaining that context at least to those who might be joining the PDP process recently. The board also has the right to send it back to the community for review.
> 
> However, I still believe we should be cautious about characterizing board ratification as primarily administrative, even for proposals that reached consensus before the pause. Here's why:
> 
> Context has changed significantly: These proposals reached consensus before the three-year interruption. The operational landscape, AFRINIC's financial position, staffing capabilities, and even other RIRs have evolved during this period. The Board has a fiduciary responsibility to reassess whether the original impact analyses still hold true given current circumstances. 
> 
> New Board composition: With the recent election, we have Board members who weren't part of the original discussions around these proposals. They need adequate time to review the proposals, understand the consensus process that led to them, and ask questions if needed. Expecting quick rubber-stamping doesn't serve good governance.
> 
> Rebuilding trust requires thoroughness: After three years of limited functionality, the community needs to see that governance processes are working properly - not just quickly. A measured, transparent review by the Board (even if it takes a bit longer) will build more confidence than rushing through ratifications.
> 
> Just to be clear, I absolutely agree that these proposals should move forward; however, technology has evolved in the last three years, and other RIRs have implemented new policies that may affect other issues. However,  I share your concern about the timeline. 
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Caleb Ogundele
> Speaking for myself as a community member
> 
> 
> On Wed, Oct 8, 2025 at 7:24 PM jordi.palet--- via RPD <rpd at afrinic.net <mailto:rpd at afrinic.net>> wrote:
> Hi Caleb,
> 
> The proposals that I refer:
> 1) Already reached consensus.
> 2) Already were sent to the board with the relevant reports.
> 
> So from that perspective, with “basically administrative” I mean that there is not “a lot of other” work to be done in the proposals. Of course, the board should make sure that the proposals aren’t against the company, but the legal implications, operational feasibility, alignment with the bylaws, etc., was already done because all this is part of the analysis impact that was prepared *before* declaring consensus. This is just the way the PDP works, so we aren’t changing anything.
> 
> Saludos,
> Jordi
> 
> @jordipalet
> 
> 
>> El 8 oct 2025, a las 18:07, Caleb Ogundele <muyiwacaleb at gmail.com <mailto:muyiwacaleb at gmail.com>> escribió:
>> 
>> Hi Jordi and All,
>> 
>> I'm happy this list is becoming more active, and it is a good thing. 
>> Responding to @Jordi, I must respectfully differ with Jordi on point one. While I share the desire to see pending proposals move forward, I don't believe board ratification should be characterized as "basically an administrative task that should not take too much time."
>> Board ratification is a critical governance checkpoint where proposals are reviewed for legal implications, operational feasibility, and alignment with AFRINIC's mission and bylaws. Given that we're emerging from three years of limited functionality as a community, I believe the Community and the Board deserve adequate time to properly review and ratify proposals, especially those that may have significant operational or financial implications for AFRINIC and its members. Times have changed in the last three years and community members have different views on certain policies. Rushing this process could lead to oversights that create problems down the line. Quality should take precedence over speed. 
>> 
>> Caleb Ogundele
>> Speaking for myself as a community member
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Wed, Oct 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM jordi.palet--- via RPD <rpd at afrinic.net <mailto:rpd at afrinic.net>> wrote:
>> HI Seun, all,
>> 
>> Fully agree with your view. I will add 2 more points:
>> 
>> 1) There are several policy proposals that reached consensus and are “paused” just waiting for the board ratification. I understand the board will be very busy, but the ratification is basically an administrative task that should not take too much time. So please, consider doing so ASAP, so the implementation can also be initiated, as I think in some cases it may take long time.
>> 
>> 
>> 2) Some of use may need to plan ahead, and buy our flights as early as possible (too close to the meeting become extremely expensive when traveling from abroad) for the next PPM, so it will be good to announce firm dates and location as soon as possible.
>> 
>> Those that have policy proposals still under discussion really need to have a status summary and specially understand if the actual co-chairs will continue as suggested, so we can restart our work and encourage discussions in the community.
>> 
>> Finally, I don’t think we need a “complete modernization of the policy manual”, but instead concentrate in review the existing discussion and decide if we need to focus on any new topic at the time being.
>> 
>> Tks!
>> 
>> Saludos,
>> Jordi
>> 
>> @jordipalet
>> 
>> 
>>> El 8 oct 2025, a las 17:02, Seun Ojedeji <seun.ojedeji at gmail.com <mailto:seun.ojedeji at gmail.com>> escribió:
>>> 
>>> Hello Ben, RPD 
>>> 
>>> It's good that this discussion is starting up. I don't think anything revolutionary with the rpd needs to happen from the board level at this time. The rpd itself should evolve through policies and while the board indeed has the ability to write a policy when required and in certain circumstances i do think that it isn't necessary at this time. I would suggest the following:
>>> 
>>> 1. Current Co-Chairs continue in their role towards the next Public Policy Meeting (PPM) and they should coordinate on the things Sami mentioned with regards to authors representing their proposal and new proposals as applicable.
>>> 
>>> 2. We usually hold 2 PPMs every year 1 during the AIS and another at the second AFRINIC pubic meeting in the year, it will be good for the Board to provide the rpd with some information on how soon that can happen.
>>> 
>>> 3. With the recent board election, staff does have significant experience on conducting credible and verifiable election. The Board should leverage on that to organise election of Co-Chairs at the next ppm inline with the CPM. The 2 seats should be filled in a staggered manner
>>> 
>>> Regards
>>> 
>>> ----
>>> Sent from my mobile
>>> kindly excuse typos
>>> 
>>> On Wed, 8 Oct 2025, 6:00 pm Ben Roberts - AfriNIC via RPD, <rpd at afrinic.net <mailto:rpd at afrinic.net>> wrote:
>>> Sami,
>>> Thanks for your mail and we appreciate your contributions to PWDG to date and are happy to see you are keen to start it up again. I am replying as a community member, though I am also a board member of AfriNIC. 
>>> 
>>> I feel that as we restart the PWDG process, what is absolutely key is that we get much more diversity in that process. My question back to you is to ask, how do we invigorate the process to involve many more key experts in the digital economy of Africa?
>>> 
>>> Kind regards
>>> Ben
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On 6 Oct 2025, at 08:08, Sami Salih via Board <board at afrinic.net <mailto:board at afrinic.net>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Dear PDWG Community,
>>>> 
>>>> I hope this message finds you well. 
>>>> 
>>>> I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you all on the successful election of the AFRINIC Board and the resumption of its proper functioning. This milestone marks an important step toward restoring stability, trust, and continuity in AFRINIC’s role as the Regional Internet Registry for Africa. With governance now back on track, it is the right moment to resume the Policy Development Process (PDP) and address the policy gaps that have accumulated during the past three years of interruption.
>>>> 
>>>> As you are aware, over the past three years AFRINIC has gone through a period of limited functionality, and the Policy Development Process (PDP) has been effectively paused. During this time, the global Internet number community has continued to evolve, with significant policy updates taking place across the other RIRs. This has created a widening gap between AFRINIC’s Consolidated Policy Manual (CPM) and those of our sister RIRs.
>>>> 
>>>> In order to restore the momentum of policy development in our region and to ensure that AFRINIC’s policy environment remains relevant, consistent, and globally aligned, I would like to highlight the following areas where action is needed:
>>>> 
>>>> Previous PDWG Co-Chairs
>>>> While their terms have now ended, we request that the most recent PDWG Co-Chairs prepare a short report summarizing the last set of policy proposals that were under discussion before the process stalled. We further encourage the original authors of those drafts to resubmit them for renewed community review, or alternatively, invite any community member to take initiative to re-submit and champion them.
>>>> 
>>>> AFRINIC Board
>>>> We call on the Board to formally publish a community call for modernizing the AFRINIC Policy Manual. This would include identifying and prioritizing areas where policy alignment with other RIRs is needed (e.g., IPv4 transfer frameworks, IPv6 allocation criteria, RPKI adoption, Whois/privacy reforms, and membership/resource governance models). Such a call would help set a clear direction and provide legitimacy to the process of catching up with global best practices.
>>>> 
>>>> PDWG Community
>>>> Most importantly, we urge all community members to actively re-engage in the PDP by discussing any submitted proposals, providing constructive feedback, and enriching the drafts with insights drawn from operational experience. The strength of AFRINIC’s PDP has always been rooted in the diversity and expertise of its community, and your participation will be crucial in shaping the future of Internet number resource management in our region.
>>>> 
>>>> This is a collective responsibility, and now is the right moment to re-energize our PDP and demonstrate the resilience of the AFRINIC community.
>>>> 
>>>> With Regards.
>>>> 
>>>> Sami Salih, PhD (ICT), PMP®
>>>> Assistant Professor, Sudan University of Science and Technology
>>>> Tel: (249) 122045707
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>> --
>> Caleb Ogundele
>> Email: muyiwacaleb at gmail.com <mailto:muyiwacaleb at gmail.com>
> 
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> IPv4 is over
> Are you ready for the new Internet ?
> http://www.theipv6company.com <http://www.theipv6company.com/>
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> This electronic message contains information which may be privileged or confidential. The information is intended to be for the exclusive use of the individual(s) named above and further non-explicilty authorized disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information, even if partially, including attached files, is strictly prohibited and will be considered a criminal offense. If you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information, even if partially, including attached files, is strictly prohibited, will be considered a criminal offense, so you must reply to the original sender to inform about this communication and delete it.
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> --
> Caleb Ogundele
> Email: muyiwacaleb at gmail.com <mailto:muyiwacaleb at gmail.com>

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