[ripe-list] Call for AFRINIC’s registry service migration to other RIRs

[truncated Cc: to the one mailing list I'm actually subscribed to.]

On Sun, Aug 01, 2021 at 11:57:29AM +0200, Paul Wollner wrote:
> In the interest of internet continuity, another RIR should help
> AFRINIC (by staff or infrastructure), to perform it’s core
> registration service function for the time being, until all AFRINIC
> litigation has been sorted to avoid disruption to our African end
> users and businesses.

Pardon my naïveté, but why would this be staff/infrastructure rather
than financial?  Their staff and infrastructure seems perfectly fine.

>From the news sources you provided, it's an asset freeze to ensure the
assets will be available /if/ these legal proceedings find them at
fault.  I see no argument that their operations would be impeded if they
find some way to sustain ongoing payments.

And indeed they have asked the court to allow enough use of their assets
to this extent.  If that fails, they'll proceed down their list of
options to the next one.  I would assume the RIR stability fund is one
of the options further down on their list, and when they reach that
point and ask for it, it should be granted.  No earlier, no later, and
based on their request.

(And of course they would try their more direct options first, i.e.
asking the court to release some of their own assets.  Who wouldn't?)

Cheers,


David


P.S.: I'm not even alarmed all that much by this.  It seems primarily a
problem with the laws they operate under.  An asset freeze as part of
legal proceedings is useful, but if it strangles a defendant before the
court can even hear merits of a case that seems to be going a bit too
far.