Dear Mr. Dabee,
Cloud Innovation is writing to express our unwavering support for AFRINIC’s ongoing business operations under your stewardship. We welcome your appointment as the current Court-appointed Receiver of AFRINIC and look forward to working with you in a collaborative and constructive manner. As a long-time stakeholder in AFRINIC, Cloud Innovation remains committed to the stability and success of the organization, and we believe that maintaining effective daily operations during this period of receivership is of paramount importance. Please rest assured that we will continue to support AFRINIC’s mission and services to the community throughout this process.
We also wish to reaffirm the rationale behind Cloud Innovation’s actions in recent months. Cloud Innovation applied for the appointment of a receiver for AFRINIC with the sole aim of helping to restore good governance within the organization. This step was never intended to disrupt AFRINIC’s activities, but rather to ensure that proper oversight and accountability are in place. We, along with many other AFRINIC members, had grown deeply concerned about the governance challenges and prolonged instability afflicting the registry. By advocating for the receivership, our hope was to provide AFRINIC with an opportunity to rehabilitate its governance structures – including reconstituting its Board and management – in line with its constitution and community’s expectations. In short, our court application to appoint a receiver was motivated by a genuine desire to see AFRINIC thrive under sound leadership and transparent practices, and we remain confident that this intervention will ultimately benefit the entire AFRINIC community.
In light of this, we must convey one specific concern that has arisen from recent proceedings. We were troubled to learn of a statement made in court by the former Official Receiver (your predecessor) indicating that several internet number resource applications were processed and approved without his knowledge or consent. This revelation is alarming to Cloud Innovation, as it suggests that important resource allocation decisions may have been made outside of the proper authority or established oversight. Such actions, if accurate, undermine the very governance safeguards that the receivership was meant to put in place. We raise this point not to cast doubt on any individual, but to highlight a systemic issue that urgently needs to be addressed. It is our firm belief that no resource requests or allocations should ever be handled without the awareness and approval of the appointed authority. Ensuring that all processes are transparent and accountable is critical for maintaining trust in AFRINIC’s operations.
Cloud Innovation strongly supports the allocation of internet number resources through a transparent, duly approved process that is authorized by the proper authority. We emphasize that all decisions regarding IP address allocations, membership approvals, and related resource management must adhere strictly to AFRINIC’s policies and bylaws, and be executed by those who have the legal mandate to do so. In practice, this means following the procedures vetted by the community and approved by governance bodies, with full transparency and documentation. We believe this principled approach serves the best interests of every AFRINIC member. Going forward, we encourage a reaffirmation that any pending or new resource applications will be processed only through the correct channels – under your supervision and in accordance with the rules in place. Cloud Innovation fully supports you in enforcing these standards, as we are convinced that a fair and open allocation process is vital for the integrity and credibility of the registry.
Lastly, we want to express our trust and confidence in your professionalism as the current Receiver of AFRINIC. We are optimistic that under your capable leadership, the resources managed by AFRINIC will be allocated and overseen in strict accordance with AFRINIC’s bylaws and the applicable laws of its jurisdiction. Your impartial oversight is key to ensuring that the organization’s assets – including number resources – are handled correctly and in the best interest of the community. We trust that you will take all necessary steps to prevent any irregularities, such as those reported under the previous receivership, and to uphold the highest standards of governance and legality. Cloud Innovation stands ready to support you in these efforts. We remain available to engage in dialogue, provide any clarification, or assist in ways that may help AFRINIC achieve a stable and well-governed environment once again. Our shared goal is to see AFRINIC emerge from this period of receivership stronger, with robust governance and full confidence from its members.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. Cloud Innovation deeply appreciates the hard work you and the AFRINIC staff are doing to keep the organization on track. We are committed to being a constructive partner throughout this process. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is any way we can further support AFRINIC’s mission and the restoration of good governance.
Sincerely,
Cloud Innovation