[NCSG-PC] TOO FAST: Is ICANN helping to subvert its own governance model?

Sat Nov 15 00:17:24 EET 2025

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments. I think it is important to clarify the purpose: it
is not about Afrinic or having position on how things going there, it is
about ICANN and any possible involvement contrary to its role.

We are asking ICANN Board and CEO to respond to some questions and clarify.
I don't see the harm or concern in doing so, I am surprised about the
reaction. I don't think it is matter of more extensive "research" and
interpretation , response from board is more efficient and effective in
this case. Otherwise in future we might reconsider any letter we want to
send to board?

Members who are concerned can still speak in the NCSG list if they feel OK
or reach me directly.

Btw FWIW, Africa is still my region of origin, I am not involved all the
time on related matters but I do care enough. So when I suggested drafting
the letter I didn't take that lightly and I consider having legitimacy.

Best,

Rafik

On Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 02:49 farzaneh badii <farzaneh.badii at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Kathy,
>
> You are an observer on this list. We appreciate your work so we thought it
> would be great to benefit from your viewpoints on policy matters but
> sending the email here to influence an NCSG decision on a PC member and
> observer only mailing list is very unfortunate. That letter was drafted
> with utmost care, after talking to a number of our members from Africa.
> There is support on the mailing list to send the letter and there is one
> objection from Emmanuel.  Anriette also did not oppose sending the letter,
> she contributed to it and we reframed a few things based on her comment. As
> to the AFRINIC Board, Rafik considered this the moment he suggested sending
> the letter, we came up with a plan to inform Adewale and assure him that
> this letter is not about AFRINIC but about involvement of ICANN and ICP2
> and also see what he thinks. Rafik has already sent that letter to Adewale.
> This letter has to be sent soon because our concern with ICANN should be
> recorded as they are discussing the CAIGA blueprint during TAS. Our letter
> does not cast any doubt on AFRINIC's board. If this was an AFRINIC matter
> we would not have even gotten involved. We are concerned about ICANN's role
> and we have questions. You know that the multistakeholder bottom-up process
> is under attack everyday. It is our job to defend it.
> I am going to reach out to other members based in or from Africa during
> the weekend just to reaffirm that we have the support of our members from
> Africa as some might not have the luxury of speaking up on the mailing list
> as we do.
>
> As to your last question. I don't think it is a fair question, it is not
> based on substantive matters but it's personal. All I have to say is that I
> have known her for 15 years. I never worked with her directly but  I
> learned Internet governance from her by observing her. She is a true
> defender of a global interoperable Internet and multistakeholder model and
> it doesn't matter who her employer is, and she can't be misled easily. She
> fights for what is right. When we reached out to ask if we could mention
> her work she said we could but only if we had the support of our African
> members and discussed with Adewale and not interfered with AFRINIC Board
> matters.
> (Kathy, I can say the above about you too. I learned a lot from you. Let's
> talk about substance.)
>
> Best regards,
>
> Farzaneh
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 9:09 AM Kathy Kleiman <Kathy at kathykleiman.com>
> wrote:
>
>> All,  I'm sorry, but I do not support the sending of this letter right
>> now.
>>
>> We have members - wonderful members - who were deeply involved in the
>> work of saving AfriNIC. They really stood on the front lines working,
>> writing, drafting amicus briefs for the court and truly working hard to
>> keep the Supreme Court of Mauritius from dissolving AfriNIC.
>>
>> *One of our members is now on the Board of AfriNIC, and further, he was
>> elected Chair of AfriNIC.  Before we do anything to hurt things -- why
>> don't we do some more research?  Why don't we talk to our members (who may
>> be taking a much needed rest as they are very quiet)?*
>>
>> Questions and letters can hurt -- we've been warned by Anriette and I
>> confirm. *Also, could someone please tell me who Alice is working for
>> these days?  *It would be fair and useful to know.
>>
>> *Why the rush?  Let's wait until next week -- and take the time to talk
>> with our own members and leaders. Let's not inadvertently hurt something
>> new and growing -- let's wait for our members who are directly involved to
>> work with us.  *
>>
>> Best, Kathy
>> On 11/14/2025 1:55 AM, Rafik Dammak wrote:
>>
>> hi all,
>>
>> thanks for the comments and input to letter, here the new version after
>> resolving the changes
>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CPgRLILaCtsda8YRA4mUtElLXYS6udjF8cHvTo2AXHI/edit?tab=t.0
>>  .
>> If there is no strong objection or concern, we can send this letter asap
>> to the board for consideration, hopefully by the end of the day.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Rafik
>>
>> Le jeu. 13 nov. 2025 à 23:08, Mueller, Milton L <
>> 00001d75540da649-dmarc-request at listserv.syr.edu> a écrit :
>>
>>>
>>> > I want to urge NCSG members that as we ask for more information, we do
>>> so without undermining AfriNIC's new board
>>> > and the efforts of this board and those working with it to stabilise
>>> AfriNIC. They need our support.
>>>
>>> Absolutely correct. The focus should be on CAIGA proposal, which
>>> deviates from multistakeholder principles, the new Afrinic board has very
>>> little to do with that as far as I know.
>>>
>>>
>>> Dr. Milton L Mueller
>>>
>>> Georgia Institute of Technology
>>>
>>> School of Public Policy
>>>
>>> <https://internetgovernance.org>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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>
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