<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
<style type="text/css" style="display:none;"> P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;} </style>
</head>
<body dir="ltr">
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Dear PDWG,</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Good day colleagues, I would like to take the opportunity to vouchsafe the remarks made by Asamkele’s objection in accordance with remaining firmly opposed to AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Noah, Nishal, and Seun, from the discursive propositions they have made and that I have seen, seem (and I say this with some hesitation but with profound respect for each of them) to treat the existence of an operational concern as if it automatically proves
the necessity of this particular mandatory policy: in my humble opinion it does not.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Hierarchical naming may improve attribution by binding the creator of an AS-SET to an ASN maintainer. It does not verify that the membership of the set is accurate, current, complete, or authorised by every network represented within it. Automated filtering
tools consume the contents of the object. They do not become safe merely because the object has a hierarchical name.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
The proposal, from my perspective, addresses attribution, not the expansive full routing-authorisation problem being used in justifying the said proposal. That difference cannot be dismissed as philosophical or non-technical, to whit; it goes directly to whether
the proposed rule actually prevents the claimed harm.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Nishal (whose discursive writing on this platform I have been consuming with rapacious intent) made a suggestion that objectors do not “live and speak BGP”, this has a hue of questionability. Operational experience is valuable, but it is evidence, not exclusive
authority. Technical expertise should explain the threat model, quantify the harm, and test whether the remedy works. It can be argued that it should not be used as a credential to exclude participants who question policy scope, proportionality, or institutional
power.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Noah has also made claim that the community is “empowered” to impose such rules also requires limits. A policy process may coordinate around genuine technical invariants. It does not receive unlimited authority to make every preferred operational convention
compulsory. Participation does not manufacture mandate. A mailing list is not a legislature, and support from regular participants is not a substitute for proof that compulsion is indispensable.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Seun, whom I have respectfully addressed directly before regarding a comment directed at myself, made the suggestion that those sharing similar objections should write another policy reverses the burden of proof. Objectors do not have to design a replacement
enforcement regime before opposing this one. The authors and supporters of a mandatory proposal must demonstrate:</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<ul data-editing-info="{"applyListStyleFromLevel":true}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation">that the harm is clearly evidenced;</div>
</li></ul>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<ul data-editing-info="{"applyListStyleFromLevel":true}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation">that the proposed rule materially prevents it;</div>
</li></ul>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<ul data-editing-info="{"applyListStyleFromLevel":true}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation">that less restrictive mechanisms have failed;</div>
</li></ul>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<ul data-editing-info="{"applyListStyleFromLevel":true}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation">and that registry enforcement is the minimum proportionate response.</div>
</li></ul>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
The continued creation of flat AS-SETs does not prove that voluntary adoption has failed. It proves only that operators continue to use a format currently permitted by the system. Non-adoption of a preferred convention is not itself a technical failure.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Alternatives such as explicit provenance, source-qualified references, collision warnings, deterministic validation, tooling improvements, local rejection, and voluntary hierarchical naming have not been shown to be incapable of addressing the risk. They have
largely been brushed aside because compulsion is administratively simpler.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Administrative simplicity is not a technical necessity. Nor does adoption by other RIRs settle the issue. Institutional convergence may be relevant experience, but it is not authority over AFRINIC. Other registries choosing the same rule does not remove AFRINIC’s
obligation to test necessity, proportionality, residual risk, and operator impact for itself.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Ultimately, it should be given that the proper common layer should remain thin. It should protect uniqueness, proof of control, registry accuracy, security integrity, and operational continuity. It should not grow each time a useful practice can be converted
into a mandatory database rule.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
For these reasons, and unequivocally, I lend my support to Asamkele and maintain my strong opposition to this proposal.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Regards,</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Simphiwe Ngubane</div>
<div id="Signature" class="elementToProof">
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<p class="elementToProof" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 36, 81);">
<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
</div>
Disclaimer - University of Cape Town This email is subject to UCT policies and email disclaimer published on our website at https://www.uct.ac.za/main/email-disclaimer or obtainable from +27 21 650 9111. If this email is not related to the business of UCT,
it is sent by the sender in an individual capacity. Please report security incidents or abuse via https://csirt.uct.ac.za/report-incident
</body>
</html>