The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) has faced an ongoing crisis of governance. ICANN has been and continues to closely monitor the situation and offers AFRINIC support and advice where we can do so. ICANN is hopeful that the recent developments taken in Mauritius will bring AFRINIC’s governance back to a steady state and is committed to ensuring the long-term viability of the RIR system as part of the delivery of ICANN's mission.
ICANN has continued to closely monitor the legal proceedings involving AFRINIC as well as its governance struggles. ICANN notes the Court Order from the Bankruptcy Division of the Supreme Court of Mauritius, dated 12 February 2025. That Court Order names Mr. Gowtamsingh Dabee the newly appointed Receiver over AFRINIC. Mr. Dabee was ordered to expedite the matter to design and conduct elections to reconstitute the AFRINIC Board of Directors by 25 April 2025. The Court acknowledged the powers of the Receiver as provided for under the laws of Mauritius.
ICANN recognizes the important role of the Receiver in repairing AFRINIC’s governance and has offered its assistance to Mr. Dabee, as the officially appointed authority designated by the Mauritius' Courts. We previously assisted the Official Receiver of Mauritius in a similar manner.
ICANN has a long-standing and valued relationship with the Internet numbers community. It will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide whatever support the Receiver requests to restore AFRINIC’s functional governance and operations.
About AFRINIC
The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) is one of five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) that are essential to ensuring the security, stability, and resiliency (SSR) of the Internet for the benefit of Internet users globally. Each RIR manages, distributes, and registers Internet number resources. The RIRs' reliable provision of these services at the regional levels support ICANN's SSR role.