- AFRINIC’s board election collapsed after proxy voting issues exposed systemic governance flaws and forced full cancellation.
- Cloud Innovation proposes dissolving AFRINIC and transferring IP management to another RIR under ICANN’s ICP-2 process.
AFRINIC’s proxy voting breakdown sparks calls for structural reform
AFRINIC’s June 23 board election was abruptly suspended after a single disputed proxy vote. The chaos exposed long-standing governance issues within the organisation, particularly around the use of Powers of Attorney and the lack of clearly enforced safeguards to prevent abuse or confusion. Many members were left disenfranchised, despite making legitimate efforts to vote through authorised channels. In response, the court-appointed receiver cancelled the election entirely, citing procedural irregularities and insufficient measures to uphold transparency and fairness.
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Cloud Innovation urges planned transition under ICP‑2
Cloud Innovation, a long-standing AFRINIC member and one of the region’s largest resource holders, has since issued an open proposal calling for the structured dissolution of AFRINIC. The company argues that continued dysfunction, combined with prolonged legal battles and election paralysis, has made the registry unfit for purpose.
Rather than calling for chaos, the proposal suggests invoking ICP-2—ICANN’s recognised process for establishing or replacing a Regional Internet Registry (RIR)—to formally wind down AFRINIC and transfer management responsibilities to an existing RIR such as RIPE NCC or ARIN. This would ensure continuity in the stewardship of African IP address resources while broader reform can be explored.
AFRINIC’s challenges highlight how weak electoral systems and unchecked procedural ambiguity can erode legitimacy, even in highly technical institutions. As the only RIR serving Africa, AFRINIC’s fate will significantly impact regional digital growth, infrastructure planning, and internet stability. For that reason, any path forward—whether reform or transition—must prioritise accountability, transparency, and service continuity.
