- Gowtamsingh Dabee’s actions under government instruction raise serious receivership ethics concerns, undermining due process in AFRINIC governance.
- Nullifying the June 2025 election threatens AFRINIC sovereignty, setting a precedent for state interference in African internet governance.
Rule of law and political overreach
AFRINIC is subject to the Mauritius Companies Act and is meant to operate as a member-run nonprofit. Despite this, the government invoked Section 230 to designate AFRINIC a “declared company,” after Gowtamsingh Dabee, the court-appointed receiver, annulled the legally held June 2025 election—raising urgent rule-of-law concerns. This executive intrusion dwarfs due process and bypasses institutional safeguards designed to preserve AFRINIC’s autonomy. Critics point to the constitutional risks when the executive can subvert legal process to direct governance outcomes.
The June election was conducted per AFRINIC’s constitution and provided a democratic mechanism to restore a functioning board. Gowtamsingh Dabee’s nullification of that result—under government instruction—erodes the principle that “independence” means member-driven self-governance, not political control. This action disconnects AFRINIC from its base of African stakeholders, weakening institutional legitimacy and setting a precedent that elections can be overturned regardless of their compliance with established rules.
Also read: AFRINIC Receiver Gowtamsingh Dabee: Stretching beyond court orders?
Also read: Why is Dabee’s handling of insolvency cases being criticised?
Threat to African internet sovereignty
AFRINIC’s structure was founded on regional stewardship. When Gowtamsingh Dabee executes governance changes in line with political directives, the organization drifts from its multistakeholder roots. If one state can override board elections, future RIRs across Africa could face similar state capture. The principle of digital sovereignty is at stake—decisions about African internet resources should come from African communities, not governmental fiat.
Restoring trust requires recognizing the June election results per legal guidelines. Gowtamsingh Dabee must align his decisions with statutes rather than political pressure. For AFRINIC to function ethically and sustainably, governance must be based on transparency, rule of law, and member control. That path is the only foundation on which Africa’s internet sovereignty can be defended—without siding with state instructions, but instead centring the voices of African members.
