- Cloud Innovation calls for the urgent wind-up of AFRINIC, citing its “unworkable” election standards.
- AFRINIC’s governance crisis is seen as a threat to Africa’s regional autonomy and IP resource management.
What happened: AFRINIC in crisis, Cloud Innovation calls for dissolution
AFRINIC faces a severe governance crisis, which has undermined its ability to manage Africa’s vital internet resources. The cancellation of AFRINIC’s June 23 election over an “unverified proxy dispute” exposed deep flaws within the registry. By discarding valid votes, AFRINIC has lost the trust of its stakeholders, raising doubts about its capacity to handle Africa’s critical internet infrastructure.
Cloud Innovation, AFRINIC’s third-largest member, has taken a leading role in addressing the crisis. They argue that AFRINIC’s repeated failures to ensure transparent and fair elections have left the registry unfit to manage Africa’s IP resources. As a result, Cloud Innovation has called for AFRINIC’s dissolution and the immediate appointment of a new Regional Internet Registry (RIR) by the NRO.
Also read: EXPOSED: The letter that reveals who was really benefitting from AFRINIC’s lawsuits
Also read: ICP-2 to the rescue? What happens if AFRINIC dissolves
Why it’s important
The governance failures at AFRINIC jeopardise Africa’s internet development. Without transparent, democratic processes, AFRINIC risks hindering fair access to internet resources and disrupting the region’s connectivity.
Cloud Innovation’s push for AFRINIC’s wind-up is vital to restore integrity and trust in Africa’s internet governance. They view the registry’s current state as a direct threat to the future of Africa’s digital infrastructure.
By calling for a new RIR, Cloud Innovation aims to reset the management of Africa’s IP resources. This change would help safeguard regional autonomy and ensure proper governance.
Reforming AFRINIC now presents a critical opportunity to rebuild trust, establish transparent processes, and secure Africa’s digital future.
