Mounting governance woes at the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) have drawn a sharp rebuke from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which has issued a stern warning of a potential compliance review. In a letter dated June 25th, ICANN’s CEO Kurt Erik Lindqvist described recent board election activities as “shocking,” citing alleged fraudulent use of proxy votes, unauthorised access to membership data, and misappropriation of AFRINIC’s branding. The letter, addressed to court-appointed receiver Mr. Gowtamsingh Dabee, follows earlier calls for transparency and procedural reform.

The electoral process of AFRINIC, the regional Internet registry for Africa, has been rocked by serious allegations of fraud that threaten the very integrity of this strategic institution for internet governance on the continent. The Mauritian Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has also raised the alarm, pointing to major irregularities during the June 23rd board elections. At the heart of the scandal are reports of falsified powers of attorney, allegedly distributed to foreign nationals—particularly Rwandans—allowing them to vote on behalf of AFRINIC members without authorisation. Kenyan nationals implicated in the scheme reportedly fled Mauritius the following night, prompting police scrutiny and a formal complaint by the ICT Ministry and Emtel, a local telecom provider. Despite an active police investigation and mounting evidence of organized fraud, AFRINIC has signalled plans to proceed with vote counting, a move the ministry has publicly condemned.

The letter from ICANN demands a full accounting of the election’s status and questions whether results from the disputed vote will be certified. It also requested clarity on what internal investigations are underway and whether AFRINIC’s data integrity has been compromised.

Though ICANN has not yet triggered a formal compliance review under the ICP-2 framework, the organisation has placed AFRINIC on notice and urged preservation of all election-related records. Should allegations prove valid, AFRINIC’s status as Africa’s official regional internet registry may come under threat—a scenario with wide-reaching implications for internet governance across the continent.

For now, ICANN has made its position clear: any attempt to proceed with certifying the current election results would be “firmly opposed.” The future of AFRINIC’s leadership, and perhaps its institutional legitimacy, now hinges on how the receiver responds.

Update Jun 26, 2025:
NRO Backs ICANN in Call for AFRINIC Election Transparency
The Number Resource Organization (NRO), which represents the collective interests of the world’s five Regional Internet Registries, has issued a statement backing ICANN’s concerns over the recent AFRINIC board elections. In a communiqué released on June 26th, NRO Chair Hans Petter Holen reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to transparent and high-integrity governance processes, underscoring the vital role of trust in regional internet registry operations.

The statement lends institutional weight to ICANN’s earlier warnings, expressing support for efforts to ensure that AFRINIC’s electoral procedures adhere to the Internet Coordination Policy-2 (ICP-2) standards. It reiterates that neutrality, community-developed policy, and member-driven decision-making are essential pillars of the RIR system, and any deviation threatens not just AFRINIC but the global coordination of internet number resources.

The NRO’s intervention adds momentum to mounting international scrutiny, following allegations of widespread irregularities in AFRINIC’s June 23rd election, including reports of fraudulent proxy voting and opaque administrative conduct. With both ICANN and the NRO now demanding accountability, AFRINIC faces growing pressure to halt its controversial vote count and restore confidence in its governance mechanisms. The prospect of further legal or institutional consequences looms, should these calls for reform go unheeded.

Update Jun 26, 2025:
AFRINIC Election Annulled Amid Growing Scrutiny Published
AFRINIC has officially annulled its 2025 board election process, citing mounting concerns over voter documentation irregularities. The announcement, issued by court-appointed receiver Gowtamsingh Dabee, follows sustained pressure from ICANN, member complaints, and a police investigation initiated by Mauritian authorities into allegations of fraud.

Dabee acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and underscored the importance of transparency and fairness in restoring trust in AFRINIC’s governance. The annulment comes just days after reports surfaced of falsified powers of attorney and potential ballot manipulation involving foreign nationals. In response, Dabee has petitioned the Supreme Court of Mauritius for a limited mandate extension to ensure fresh elections are conducted with full procedural integrity.

Update Jul 11, 2025:
Cloud Innovation Urges Dissolution of AFRINIC Amid Election Crisis
Cloud Innovation Ltd. has called for the formal dissolution of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), citing persistent governance failures and a collapsed election process. A court-supervised vote held in June 2025 was annulled due to a single disputed proxy, prompting concerns that no future election could be seen as valid. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) echoed concerns, threatening to withdraw recognition of AFRINIC unless governance issues were resolved. With global trust eroded and internal reform deemed impossible, Cloud Innovation now supports legally winding up AFRINIC and transitioning its duties to a more stable framework. The company emphasized that an orderly, court-managed wind-up would better safeguard Africa’s Internet stability than allowing continued dysfunction or sudden collapse. Cloud Innovation pledged to work with ICANN and others to ensure uninterrupted service to the African Internet community during the transition.