Following the call for nomination of candidates on the Nomination Committee for the 2025 AFRINIC Board election, I, Mr Gowtamsingh Dabee, in my capacity as Receiver of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) have appointed the following individuals to serve on the new Nominations Committee (NomCom) for the upcoming AFRINIC Board of Directors elections:
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Mrs Hadia El Miniawi – Northern Africa
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Mr Houegnon Geoffroy Bonou – Western Africa
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Mr Albert Kamga – Central Africa
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Prof Madara Ogot –Southern Africa
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Mr Godfrey Sserwamukoko– Eastern Africa
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Mr Yagianath Rosunee – Indian Ocean
One representative per AFRINIC sub-region was selected, in accordance with the announced principles of inclusiveness and impartiality.
The NomCom’s responsibilities will include identifying and vetting suitable candidates for the Board elections, overseeing the electoral process, and ensuring its integrity and transparency. Their full mandate is outlined as follows:
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Use its best effort towards ensuring that a satisfactory number of individuals from the African internet community stand as candidate for the election of the directors of AFRINIC; and
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Have general responsibility for, and shall supervise the conduct of the polls by the election Committee throughout the voting period.
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In the discharge of its function above, the Nom Com:
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shall call for candidates for elections held by AFRINIC;
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prescribe criteria and qualifications for eligibility to stand as candidate for elections held by AFRINIC;
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may interview candidates prior to finalising the list of candidature; and
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Shall finalise the list of candidates for any election held by AFRINIC.
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A member of the NomCom shall not take part in any manner whatsoever in reviewing and finalising the list of candidates for the region in which he is domiciled. Therefore, the NomCom member shall desist to take part in reviewing and finalising the list of candidates for that region and the decision shall be taken by the remaining members of the NomCom.
I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who submitted nominations, and to the appointed NomCom members for their willingness to contribute to this important process. We received a strong number of responses from the community with several credible individuals expressing their interest to serve. This is a clear sign of the commitment and engagement that exists across our region to address the current challenges AFRINIC is facing.
The upcoming AFRINIC elections to be held on 29th August 2025 will be conducted exclusively online, with no proxies or powers of attorney allowed. This measure is essential to prevent the issues that annulled the last elections and the Receiver is empowered to act in the spirit of the bylaws to ensure the valid conduct of these elections (as affirmed by the Supreme Court of Mauritius). This approach is a critical step towards restoring trust and fairness in AFRINIC's governance.
Mr. Gowtamsingh DABEE
Receiver – AFRINIC Ltd.