The turmoil at the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) continues. Court-appointed administrator Gowtamsingh Dabee has announced the cancellation of the ongoing Board of Directors election due to mounting irregularities. The matter is now in the hands of the Supreme Court of Mauritius, which will determine the next steps.
Following months of preparation and a directive from the Supreme Court, Dabee initiated the board elections on June 18, 2025. Of the initial 58 nominees, 41 remained as candidates to fill eight board positions. However, the election process quickly became mired in controversy.
The Tanzania Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA) attempted to halt the election through an injunction, citing procedural flaws, but the request was denied. ICANN also tried to intervene with an emergency motion, but was rejected due to lack of standing. In a letter dated June 25, ICANN CEO Kurt Lindqvist raised further concerns:
“Due to the shocking allegations and complaints surrounding the AFRINIC Board of Directors election, ICANN is formally putting AFRINIC on notice that a compliance review may well be necessary.”
ICANN reported receiving claims from AfriNIC members alleging that voting proxies were fraudulently obtained and unauthorized. The presence of fake or improperly submitted proxies has raised serious doubts about the integrity of the process. Mauritius’ Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) also stepped in after reports that proxies were distributed to foreign nationals—particularly Rwandans—allowing them to vote without proper authorization on behalf of AfriNIC members.
Facing growing pressure, Dabee announced on June 26 that the election process was being annulled. He cited numerous complaints from stakeholders about irregularities in voter documentation, which have now been referred to the relevant authorities for investigation:
“Our shared priority is clear: upholding the core principles of transparency, fairness, and the best interests of AfriNIC and its entire membership. To safeguard these principles and ensure the unquestionable legitimacy of our organisation, I have made the necessary decision to forthwith annul the current election process.”
Dabee also revealed that he has requested a temporary extension of his mandate from the Supreme Court of Mauritius to ensure new, fully verified elections can be organized within a reasonable timeframe. No specific dates were provided, but he emphasized the importance of collaboration and engagement to preserve AfriNIC’s credibility and strength.
According to lexpress.mu, consultations are ongoing with Mauritius’ Attorney General’s Office to explore potential criminal actions. The ICT ministry has already notified the national police commissioner of suspected organized fraud and called for heightened airport security.
The future of AfriNIC’s leadership—and potentially its institutional legitimacy—now lies in the hands of Mauritius’ Supreme Court and national authorities. The final chapter in this unfolding story is far from written.
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