- AFRINIC’s Receiver scrapped June 23 election after one proxy issue led to discarded votes
- Cloud Innovation says incident proves fair elections are now impossible under current leadership
Election cancelled after proxy dispute
AFRINIC’s Receiver annulled the June 23 board election on 26 June because of a dispute over proxy voting. The registry said one proxy dispute remained “unverified.” As a result, it removed several valid votes. Instead of resolving the issue, the Receiver chose to void the entire election, although the Supreme Court had ordered it on Cloud Innovation’s motion (AFRINIC’s court cases, as Cloud Innovation sets them out). The problem centered on whether one organisation had the right to vote by proxy. AFRINIC did not explain why it could not settle this dispute without cancelling all votes.
Members did not receive clear guidance on how the registry would fix the problem or when it would hold a new election. This left many frustrated and uncertain about their ability to participate in governance. The cancellation exposed deeper issues within AFRINIC’s election process. Critics argue that the registry cannot manage fair voting any longer. They say this shows that AFRINIC’s governance systems have become unreliable.
Also read: Cloud Innovation supports ICANN’s move to derecognise AFRINIC, calls for successor to be immediately identified
Also read: Who is Eddy Kayihura? The scandalous past of AFRINIC’s former CEO
Impact on AFRINIC’s governance and Africa’s internet future
The failed election deepens doubts about AFRINIC’s ability to manage Africa’s internet resources. The registry has faced repeated governance challenges and contested elections in recent years. By cancelling a vote the Court had ordered, AFRINIC’s Receiver damaged member trust. Many now question whether the registry can operate transparently and democratically. The cancellation leaves leadership unclear and governance unstable.
Cloud Innovation, AFRINIC’s third-largest member, says the failed election proves that AFRINIC’s governance is “unworkable.” It demands that ICANN and the Number Resource Organization immediately appoint a new Regional Internet Registry for Africa. Cloud Innovation warns that continuing to rely on AFRINIC risks Africa’s digital future. Meanwhile, ICANN’s increasing involvement in the region raises concerns about external control over Africa’s internet governance.comes more contested.
Correction, 14 November 2026: this version names AFRINIC’s Receiver as the one who annulled the board election of 23 June 2025, on 26 June, and states that the Supreme Court had ordered the election on Cloud Innovation’s motion. The original URL and publication date are retained.
