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

Paul & all -

it would have been helpful if you also had provided a translation into
English of this French newspaper article, given that your post is in
English, too.

I did that for you by using DeepL (https://www.deepl.com/translator).

Please find attached:

* "Journal jeudi 29 juillet-pages-2 (pdf) FR.txt"
  (a 1:1 C&P job of the article into txt format)
* "Journal jeudi 29 juillet-pages-2 (pdf) EN.txt"
  (the unedited result of having run DeepL on the txt mentioned before)

The content of the second txt is also copied below.

Thanks & best,

	-C.

===
DISPUTE BETWEEN AFRINIC AND CLOUD INNOVATION

Internet network at risk of being compromised

The dispute between African Network Centre (Afrinic) and Cloud
Innovation may disrupt the Internet in the Indian Ocean and Africa.
This, if the freeze on Afrinic's bank account is maintained. (Manisha DEENA)

[portrait photo]
Lu Heng, founder of Cloud Innovation.

[portrait photo]
Eddy Kayihura, CEO of Afrinic.

This dispute is over a year old. It all started in June 2020 when the
African Network Centre (Afrinic) informed Cloud Innovation (CI) that the
provider was violating their Registration Service Agreement (RSA)
because the resources it allocated to them were "not being used for the
purpose for which the applications were made. Moreover, Afrinic blames
CI for the fact that the resources are mostly used in China instead of
the African region where these services are supposed to be offered.
Indeed, CI, although registered in the Seychelles, is in partnership
with Larus Limited, a company based in Hong Kong.

On July 13, 2020, CI filed for an injunction against Afrinic in the
Supreme Court, but this was rejected a year later, on July 7. The day
after the dismissal, Afrinic decided to terminate CI's membership and
"recoup" the approximately 6 million in resources allocated in
installments over the years.

But CI retaliated by seeking a new injunction, which was granted on July
13, preventing Afrinic from recovering the resources. Moreover,
according to documents CI submitted to the Supreme Court, the court
order was complied with after a warning was sent to the legal panel of
the regional internet registry (RIR). CI's membership was reinstated on
July 15 and its 6 million in resources released the same day.

However, the company was not content with that. It filed a claim for
damages against Afrinic on July 23 for "unlawful termination" and
"illegal acts. The Supreme Court granted the claim based on information
provided by CI. However, it warned that a counter-action by Afrinic is
possible "at CI's peril". The case will be called again in court on
August 4.

Impact on Afrinic

An explanatory video from Afrinic's Chief Executive Officer, Eddy
Kayihura, was released Tuesday. He explains that July salaries were able
to be processed before the freeze of accounts and that support from
other RIRs was sought so that a stability fund created in 2015 could be
used to ensure a safe and stable global internet. He added that
Afrinic's legal panel has requested a variation of the freeze before a
judge in chambers on Monday, but if that request is not approved and
Afrinic is deprived of long-term funds, "disruptions to Internet service
in the Indian Ocean, the African continent and parts of the world" are
possible.

Contacted by the Express, the president of Afrinic, Subramanian
Moonesamy, said he respects the decision of the Supreme Court. However,
he hopes that a solution will be found "in the interest" of all parties
concerned. "It's really unfortunate because 50 employees are affected by
this decision to freeze the accounts, but we remain optimistic."

One of Afrinic's board directors, Mark Elkins, submitted his resignation
on July 26. Without going into detail because of confidentiality
agreements, he said through a mailing list that he "does not agree" with
what is happening and that he has been "misled. When asked, Subramanian
Moonesamy did not wish to say more, arguing that it was not his place to
comment on another person's choice. "I respect his decision."

Cloud Innovation justifies its actions

Since 2020, CI has refuted the allegations against it. After Afrinic's
initial "threats," its founder, Lu Heng, said that it was only recently
that RIR imposed restrictions on the use of its resources and that at
the time of the agreement between the two, it was not Afrinic's policy
to mandate that the allocated resources be used only in Africa.

Lu Heng also maintained that there was no question of China having a
stranglehold on African territory, as Afrinic claims. "We realize that
the African Internet is still underdeveloped. We are doing our best to
help the continent." In a statement issued on July 26, CI contends that
"Afrinic acted in bad faith to tarnish its reputation" and that the
company had "no choice but to take the necessary actions to protect
hundreds of customers."

ABOUT

Afrinic is one of five RIRs worldwide. It was established in 2004 and is
headquartered in Ebony. As the RIR for Africa and the Indian Ocean
region, it is responsible for the distribution and management of
Internet number resources consisting of the IP Address Space (IPv4 and
IPv6) and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). Anyone wishing to connect to
the Internet or to a host server to publish content online must have an
Internet Protocol (IP) address. These addresses are essential resources
for accessing the Internet. Afrinic has 1,900 members, including Cloud
Innovation, Mauritius Telecom and La Sentinelle.
===

On 29.07.2021 23:12, Paul Wollner wrote:
> The concerns expressed by TISPA, as well as other concerned parties and
> especially by AFRINIC's  own admission in the news outlet lexpress.mu,
> which is attached to this email, regarding the AFRINIC’s inability to
> keep providing its core registry functions due to its inability to meet
> its financial requirements.
> 
> I suggest that in order not hold end users, ISPs and any other
> business's hostage, for the interest of continue service of AFRINIC’s
> core registry service, we should urgently call for NRO fulfil their
> responsibility as well as commitment to the global internet to take over
> AFRINIC’s registration service for the time being, until litigation is
> settled some time later.
> (https://www.nro.net/accountability/rir-accountability/joint-rir-stability-fund/
> <https://www.nro.net/accountability/rir-accountability/joint-rir-stability-fund/>)
> 
> That way, no end user or business will ever impacted however results
> come out of litigation.
> 
> Regards
> Paul Wollner
-------------- next part --------------
LITIGE ENTRE AFRINIC ET CLOUD INNOVATION

Le réseau Internet risque d’être compromis

Le contentieux entre African Network Centre (Afrinic) et Cloud Innovation risque de perturber le réseau Internet dans l’océan Indien et en Afrique. Cela, si le gel du compte bancaire d’Afrinic est maintenu. (Manisha DEENA)

[portrait photo]
Lu Heng, fondateur de Cloud Innovation.

[portrait photo]
Eddy Kayihura, CEO d’Afrinic.

Ce litige date de plus d’un an. Tout débute en juin 2020 quand l’African Network Centre (Afrinic) informe Cloud Innovation (CI) que le prestataire viole leur Registration Service Agreement (RSA) car les ressources qu’il lui alloue ne «sont pas utilisées aux fins pour lesquelles les applications ont été faites». Qui plus est, Afrinic reproche à CI le fait que les ressources sont utilisées majoritairement en Chine au lieu de la région africaine où ces services sont censés être offerts. En effet, CI, bien qu’enregistré aux Seychelles, est en partenariat avec Larus Limited, une compagnie basée à Hong-Kong.
Le 13 juillet 2020, CI demande une injonction contre Afrinic en Cour suprême mais celleci est rejetée un an plus tard, soit le 7 juillet. Le lendemain du rejet, Afrinic décide de résilier l’adhésion de CI et de «récupérer» les quelque 6 millions de ressources allouées en plusieurs fois au fil des années.
Mais CI riposte en réclamant une nouvelle injonction qui lui est accordée le 13 juillet et qui empêche Afrinic de récupérer lesdites ressources. De plus, selon des documents que CI a remis à la Cour suprême, la décision de justice a été respectée après qu’un avertissement a été envoyé au panel légal du registre internet régional (RIR). L’adhésion de CI a été rétablie le 15 juillet et ses 6 millions de ressources débloquées le même jour.
Toutefois, la compagnie ne s’en est pas contentée. Elle a déposé une réclamation en dommages-intérêts contre Afrinic le 23 juillet pour «résiliation illégale» et «actes illégaux». La Cour suprême a accédé à la requête en se basant sur les informations fournies par CI. Elle prévient toutefois qu’une contre-attaque d’Afrinic est possible «aux risques et périls» de CI. L’affaire sera de nouveau appelée en cour le 4 août.

Impact sur Afrinic

Une vidéo explicative du Chief Executive Officer d’Afrinic, Eddy Kayihura, a été publiée mardi. Il explique que les salaires de juillet ont pu être traités avant le gel des comptes et que le soutien des autres RIR a été sollicité pour qu’un fonds de stabilité créé en 2015 puisse être utilisé en vue d’assurer un Internet global sûr et stable. Il ajoute que le panel légal d’Afrinic a demandé une variation du gel devant un juge en chambre lundi mais si cette demande n’est pas approuvée et qu’Afrinic est privé de fonds à long terme, «des perturbations du service d’Internet dans l’océan Indien, sur le continent africain et dans certaines parties du monde» sont possibles.
Contacté par l’express, le président d’Afrinic, Subramanian Moonesamy, dit respecter la décision de la Cour suprême. Cependant, il espère qu’une solution sera trouvée «dans l’intérêt» de toutes les parties concernées. «C’est vraiment malheureux car 50 employés sont affectés par cette décision de geler les comptes, mais nous restons optimistes.»
Un des directeurs du board d’Afrinic, Mark Elkins, a soumis sa démission le 26 juillet. Sans entrer dans les détails en raison des accords de confidentialité, il précise, à travers une liste de diffusion, qu’il n’est «pas d’accord» avec ce qui se passe et qu’il a été «induit en erreur». Interrogé, Subramanian Moonesamy n’a pas souhaité en dire plus, arguant que ce n’était pas à lui de commenter le choix d’une autre personne. «Je respecte sa décision.»

Cloud Innovation justifie ses actions

Depuis 2020, CI réfute les allégations à son encontre. Après les premières «menaces» d’Afrinic, son fondateur, Lu Heng, a déclaré que ce n’est que récemment que le RIR a imposé des restrictions sur l’utilisation de ses ressources et qu’au moment de l’accord entre les deux, ce n’était pas la politique d’Afrinic d’imposer que les ressources allouées soient utilisées uniquement en Afrique.
Lu Heng a aussi maintenu qu’il n’était pas question que la Chine ait une mainmise sur le territoire africain, comme le prétend Afrinic. «Nous réalisons que l’Internet africain est encore sous-développé. Nous faisons notre maximum pour aider le continent.» Dans un communiqué émis le 26 juillet, CI soutient qu’«Afrinic a agi de mauvaise foi en vue de ternir sa réputation» et que la compagnie n’avait «pas d’autre choix que de prendre les actions nécessaires pour protéger des centaines de clients».

À PROPOS

Afrinic est l’un des cinq RIR à travers le monde. Institué en 2004, son quartier-général se trouve à Ébène. En tant que RIR pour l’Afrique et la région de l’océan Indien, il est chargé de la distribution et de la gestion des ressources des numéros Internet constituées de l’Espace d’adressage IP (IPv4 et IPv6) et des numéros de systèmes autonomes (ASNs). Toute personne souhaitant se connecter à l’Internet ou à un serveur hôte pour publier du contenu en ligne doit avoir une adresse IP (Internet Protocol). Ces adresses sont des ressources essentielles pour l’accès à l’Internet. Afrinic compte 1 900 membres, dont Cloud Innovation, Mauritius Telecom ou encore La Sentinelle.
-------------- next part --------------
DISPUTE BETWEEN AFRINIC AND CLOUD INNOVATION



Internet network at risk of being compromised



The dispute between African Network Centre (Afrinic) and Cloud Innovation may disrupt the Internet in the Indian Ocean and Africa. This, if the freeze on Afrinic's bank account is maintained. (Manisha DEENA)



[portrait photo]

Lu Heng, founder of Cloud Innovation.



[portrait photo]

Eddy Kayihura, CEO of Afrinic.



This dispute is over a year old. It all started in June 2020 when the African Network Centre (Afrinic) informed Cloud Innovation (CI) that the provider was violating their Registration Service Agreement (RSA) because the resources it allocated to them were "not being used for the purpose for which the applications were made. Moreover, Afrinic blames CI for the fact that the resources are mostly used in China instead of the African region where these services are supposed to be offered. Indeed, CI, although registered in the Seychelles, is in partnership with Larus Limited, a company based in Hong Kong.

On July 13, 2020, CI filed for an injunction against Afrinic in the Supreme Court, but this was rejected a year later, on July 7. The day after the dismissal, Afrinic decided to terminate CI's membership and "recoup" the approximately 6 million in resources allocated in installments over the years.

But CI retaliated by seeking a new injunction, which was granted on July 13, preventing Afrinic from recovering the resources. Moreover, according to documents CI submitted to the Supreme Court, the court order was complied with after a warning was sent to the legal panel of the regional internet registry (RIR). CI's membership was reinstated on July 15 and its 6 million in resources released the same day.

However, the company was not content with that. It filed a claim for damages against Afrinic on July 23 for "unlawful termination" and "illegal acts. The Supreme Court granted the claim based on information provided by CI. However, it warned that a counter-action by Afrinic is possible "at CI's peril". The case will be called again in court on August 4.



Impact on Afrinic



An explanatory video from Afrinic's Chief Executive Officer, Eddy Kayihura, was released Tuesday. He explains that July salaries were able to be processed before the freeze of accounts and that support from other RIRs was sought so that a stability fund created in 2015 could be used to ensure a safe and stable global internet. He added that Afrinic's legal panel has requested a variation of the freeze before a judge in chambers on Monday, but if that request is not approved and Afrinic is deprived of long-term funds, "disruptions to Internet service in the Indian Ocean, the African continent and parts of the world" are possible.

Contacted by the Express, the president of Afrinic, Subramanian Moonesamy, said he respects the decision of the Supreme Court. However, he hopes that a solution will be found "in the interest" of all parties concerned. "It's really unfortunate because 50 employees are affected by this decision to freeze the accounts, but we remain optimistic."

One of Afrinic's board directors, Mark Elkins, submitted his resignation on July 26. Without going into detail because of confidentiality agreements, he said through a mailing list that he "does not agree" with what is happening and that he has been "misled. When asked, Subramanian Moonesamy did not wish to say more, arguing that it was not his place to comment on another person's choice. "I respect his decision."



Cloud Innovation justifies its actions



Since 2020, CI has refuted the allegations against it. After Afrinic's initial "threats," its founder, Lu Heng, said that it was only recently that RIR imposed restrictions on the use of its resources and that at the time of the agreement between the two, it was not Afrinic's policy to mandate that the allocated resources be used only in Africa.

Lu Heng also maintained that there was no question of China having a stranglehold on African territory, as Afrinic claims. "We realize that the African Internet is still underdeveloped. We are doing our best to help the continent." In a statement issued on July 26, CI contends that "Afrinic acted in bad faith to tarnish its reputation" and that the company had "no choice but to take the necessary actions to protect hundreds of customers."



ABOUT



Afrinic is one of five RIRs worldwide. It was established in 2004 and is headquartered in Ebony. As the RIR for Africa and the Indian Ocean region, it is responsible for the distribution and management of Internet number resources consisting of the IP Address Space (IPv4 and IPv6) and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). Anyone wishing to connect to the Internet or to a host server to publish content online must have an Internet Protocol (IP) address. These addresses are essential resources for accessing the Internet. Afrinic has 1,900 members, including Cloud Innovation, Mauritius Telecom and La Sentinelle.