Paul & all -
it would have been helpful if you also had provided a translation into
English of this French newspaper article, given that your post is in
English, too.
I did that for you by using DeepL (https://www.deepl.com/translator).
Please find attached:
* "Journal jeudi 29 juillet-pages-2 (pdf) FR.txt"
(a 1:1 C&P job of the article into txt format)
* "Journal jeudi 29 juillet-pages-2 (pdf) EN.txt"
(the unedited result of having run DeepL on the txt mentioned before)
The content of the second txt is also copied below.
Thanks & best,
-C.
===
DISPUTE BETWEEN AFRINIC AND CLOUD INNOVATION
Internet network at risk of being compromised
The dispute between African Network Centre (Afrinic) and Cloud
Innovation may disrupt the Internet in the Indian Ocean and Africa.
This, if the freeze on Afrinic's bank account is maintained. (Manisha DEENA)
[portrait photo]
Lu Heng, founder of Cloud Innovation.
[portrait photo]
Eddy Kayihura, CEO of Afrinic.
This dispute is over a year old. It all started in June 2020 when the
African Network Centre (Afrinic) informed Cloud Innovation (CI) that the
provider was violating their Registration Service Agreement (RSA)
because the resources it allocated to them were "not being used for the
purpose for which the applications were made. Moreover, Afrinic blames
CI for the fact that the resources are mostly used in China instead of
the African region where these services are supposed to be offered.
Indeed, CI, although registered in the Seychelles, is in partnership
with Larus Limited, a company based in Hong Kong.
On July 13, 2020, CI filed for an injunction against Afrinic in the
Supreme Court, but this was rejected a year later, on July 7. The day
after the dismissal, Afrinic decided to terminate CI's membership and
"recoup" the approximately 6 million in resources allocated in
installments over the years.
But CI retaliated by seeking a new injunction, which was granted on July
13, preventing Afrinic from recovering the resources. Moreover,
according to documents CI submitted to the Supreme Court, the court
order was complied with after a warning was sent to the legal panel of
the regional internet registry (RIR). CI's membership was reinstated on
July 15 and its 6 million in resources released the same day.
However, the company was not content with that. It filed a claim for
damages against Afrinic on July 23 for "unlawful termination" and
"illegal acts. The Supreme Court granted the claim based on information
provided by CI. However, it warned that a counter-action by Afrinic is
possible "at CI's peril". The case will be called again in court on
August 4.
Impact on Afrinic
An explanatory video from Afrinic's Chief Executive Officer, Eddy
Kayihura, was released Tuesday. He explains that July salaries were able
to be processed before the freeze of accounts and that support from
other RIRs was sought so that a stability fund created in 2015 could be
used to ensure a safe and stable global internet. He added that
Afrinic's legal panel has requested a variation of the freeze before a
judge in chambers on Monday, but if that request is not approved and
Afrinic is deprived of long-term funds, "disruptions to Internet service
in the Indian Ocean, the African continent and parts of the world" are
possible.
Contacted by the Express, the president of Afrinic, Subramanian
Moonesamy, said he respects the decision of the Supreme Court. However,
he hopes that a solution will be found "in the interest" of all parties
concerned. "It's really unfortunate because 50 employees are affected by
this decision to freeze the accounts, but we remain optimistic."
One of Afrinic's board directors, Mark Elkins, submitted his resignation
on July 26. Without going into detail because of confidentiality
agreements, he said through a mailing list that he "does not agree" with
what is happening and that he has been "misled. When asked, Subramanian
Moonesamy did not wish to say more, arguing that it was not his place to
comment on another person's choice. "I respect his decision."
Cloud Innovation justifies its actions
Since 2020, CI has refuted the allegations against it. After Afrinic's
initial "threats," its founder, Lu Heng, said that it was only recently
that RIR imposed restrictions on the use of its resources and that at
the time of the agreement between the two, it was not Afrinic's policy
to mandate that the allocated resources be used only in Africa.
Lu Heng also maintained that there was no question of China having a
stranglehold on African territory, as Afrinic claims. "We realize that
the African Internet is still underdeveloped. We are doing our best to
help the continent." In a statement issued on July 26, CI contends that
"Afrinic acted in bad faith to tarnish its reputation" and that the
company had "no choice but to take the necessary actions to protect
hundreds of customers."
ABOUT
Afrinic is one of five RIRs worldwide. It was established in 2004 and is
headquartered in Ebony. As the RIR for Africa and the Indian Ocean
region, it is responsible for the distribution and management of
Internet number resources consisting of the IP Address Space (IPv4 and
IPv6) and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). Anyone wishing to connect to
the Internet or to a host server to publish content online must have an
Internet Protocol (IP) address. These addresses are essential resources
for accessing the Internet. Afrinic has 1,900 members, including Cloud
Innovation, Mauritius Telecom and La Sentinelle.
===
On 29.07.2021 23:12, Paul Wollner wrote:
> The concerns expressed by TISPA, as well as other concerned parties and
> especially by AFRINIC's own admission in the news outlet lexpress.mu,
> which is attached to this email, regarding the AFRINIC’s inability to
> keep providing its core registry functions due to its inability to meet
> its financial requirements.
>
> I suggest that in order not hold end users, ISPs and any other
> business's hostage, for the interest of continue service of AFRINIC’s
> core registry service, we should urgently call for NRO fulfil their
> responsibility as well as commitment to the global internet to take over
> AFRINIC’s registration service for the time being, until litigation is
> settled some time later.
> (https://www.nro.net/accountability/rir-accountability/joint-rir-stability-fund/
> <https://www.nro.net/accountability/rir-accountability/joint-rir-stability-fund/>)
>
> That way, no end user or business will ever impacted however results
> come out of litigation.
>
> Regards
> Paul Wollner
LITIGE ENTRE AFRINIC ET CLOUD INNOVATION
Le réseau Internet risque d’être compromis
Le contentieux entre African Network Centre (Afrinic) et Cloud Innovation
risque de perturber le réseau Internet dans l’océan Indien et en Afrique. Cela,
si le gel du compte bancaire d’Afrinic est maintenu. (Manisha DEENA)
[portrait photo]
Lu Heng, fondateur de Cloud Innovation.
[portrait photo]
Eddy Kayihura, CEO d’Afrinic.
Ce litige date de plus d’un an. Tout débute en juin 2020 quand l’African
Network Centre (Afrinic) informe Cloud Innovation (CI) que le prestataire viole
leur Registration Service Agreement (RSA) car les ressources qu’il lui alloue
ne «sont pas utilisées aux fins pour lesquelles les applications ont été
faites». Qui plus est, Afrinic reproche à CI le fait que les ressources sont
utilisées majoritairement en Chine au lieu de la région africaine où ces
services sont censés être offerts. En effet, CI, bien qu’enregistré aux
Seychelles, est en partenariat avec Larus Limited, une compagnie basée à
Hong-Kong.
Le 13 juillet 2020, CI demande une injonction contre Afrinic en Cour suprême
mais celleci est rejetée un an plus tard, soit le 7 juillet. Le lendemain du
rejet, Afrinic décide de résilier l’adhésion de CI et de «récupérer» les
quelque 6 millions de ressources allouées en plusieurs fois au fil des années.
Mais CI riposte en réclamant une nouvelle injonction qui lui est accordée le 13
juillet et qui empêche Afrinic de récupérer lesdites ressources. De plus, selon
des documents que CI a remis à la Cour suprême, la décision de justice a été
respectée après qu’un avertissement a été envoyé au panel légal du registre
internet régional (RIR). L’adhésion de CI a été rétablie le 15 juillet et ses 6
millions de ressources débloquées le même jour.
Toutefois, la compagnie ne s’en est pas contentée. Elle a déposé une
réclamation en dommages-intérêts contre Afrinic le 23 juillet pour «résiliation
illégale» et «actes illégaux». La Cour suprême a accédé à la requête en se
basant sur les informations fournies par CI. Elle prévient toutefois qu’une
contre-attaque d’Afrinic est possible «aux risques et périls» de CI. L’affaire
sera de nouveau appelée en cour le 4 août.
Impact sur Afrinic
Une vidéo explicative du Chief Executive Officer d’Afrinic, Eddy Kayihura, a
été publiée mardi. Il explique que les salaires de juillet ont pu être traités
avant le gel des comptes et que le soutien des autres RIR a été sollicité pour
qu’un fonds de stabilité créé en 2015 puisse être utilisé en vue d’assurer un
Internet global sûr et stable. Il ajoute que le panel légal d’Afrinic a demandé
une variation du gel devant un juge en chambre lundi mais si cette demande
n’est pas approuvée et qu’Afrinic est privé de fonds à long terme, «des
perturbations du service d’Internet dans l’océan Indien, sur le continent
africain et dans certaines parties du monde» sont possibles.
Contacté par l’express, le président d’Afrinic, Subramanian Moonesamy, dit
respecter la décision de la Cour suprême. Cependant, il espère qu’une solution
sera trouvée «dans l’intérêt» de toutes les parties concernées. «C’est vraiment
malheureux car 50 employés sont affectés par cette décision de geler les
comptes, mais nous restons optimistes.»
Un des directeurs du board d’Afrinic, Mark Elkins, a soumis sa démission le 26
juillet. Sans entrer dans les détails en raison des accords de confidentialité,
il précise, à travers une liste de diffusion, qu’il n’est «pas d’accord» avec
ce qui se passe et qu’il a été «induit en erreur». Interrogé, Subramanian
Moonesamy n’a pas souhaité en dire plus, arguant que ce n’était pas à lui de
commenter le choix d’une autre personne. «Je respecte sa décision.»
Cloud Innovation justifie ses actions
Depuis 2020, CI réfute les allégations à son encontre. Après les premières
«menaces» d’Afrinic, son fondateur, Lu Heng, a déclaré que ce n’est que
récemment que le RIR a imposé des restrictions sur l’utilisation de ses
ressources et qu’au moment de l’accord entre les deux, ce n’était pas la
politique d’Afrinic d’imposer que les ressources allouées soient utilisées
uniquement en Afrique.
Lu Heng a aussi maintenu qu’il n’était pas question que la Chine ait une
mainmise sur le territoire africain, comme le prétend Afrinic. «Nous réalisons
que l’Internet africain est encore sous-développé. Nous faisons notre maximum
pour aider le continent.» Dans un communiqué émis le 26 juillet, CI soutient
qu’«Afrinic a agi de mauvaise foi en vue de ternir sa réputation» et que la
compagnie n’avait «pas d’autre choix que de prendre les actions nécessaires
pour protéger des centaines de clients».
À PROPOS
Afrinic est l’un des cinq RIR à travers le monde. Institué en 2004, son
quartier-général se trouve à Ébène. En tant que RIR pour l’Afrique et la région
de l’océan Indien, il est chargé de la distribution et de la gestion des
ressources des numéros Internet constituées de l’Espace d’adressage IP (IPv4 et
IPv6) et des numéros de systèmes autonomes (ASNs). Toute personne souhaitant se
connecter à l’Internet ou à un serveur hôte pour publier du contenu en ligne
doit avoir une adresse IP (Internet Protocol). Ces adresses sont des ressources
essentielles pour l’accès à l’Internet. Afrinic compte 1 900 membres, dont
Cloud Innovation, Mauritius Telecom ou encore La Sentinelle.
DISPUTE BETWEEN AFRINIC AND CLOUD INNOVATION
Internet network at risk of being compromised
The dispute between African Network Centre (Afrinic) and Cloud Innovation may
disrupt the Internet in the Indian Ocean and Africa. This, if the freeze on
Afrinic's bank account is maintained. (Manisha DEENA)
[portrait photo]
Lu Heng, founder of Cloud Innovation.
[portrait photo]
Eddy Kayihura, CEO of Afrinic.
This dispute is over a year old. It all started in June 2020 when the African
Network Centre (Afrinic) informed Cloud Innovation (CI) that the provider was
violating their Registration Service Agreement (RSA) because the resources it
allocated to them were "not being used for the purpose for which the
applications were made. Moreover, Afrinic blames CI for the fact that the
resources are mostly used in China instead of the African region where these
services are supposed to be offered. Indeed, CI, although registered in the
Seychelles, is in partnership with Larus Limited, a company based in Hong Kong.
On July 13, 2020, CI filed for an injunction against Afrinic in the Supreme
Court, but this was rejected a year later, on July 7. The day after the
dismissal, Afrinic decided to terminate CI's membership and "recoup" the
approximately 6 million in resources allocated in installments over the years.
But CI retaliated by seeking a new injunction, which was granted on July 13,
preventing Afrinic from recovering the resources. Moreover, according to
documents CI submitted to the Supreme Court, the court order was complied with
after a warning was sent to the legal panel of the regional internet registry
(RIR). CI's membership was reinstated on July 15 and its 6 million in resources
released the same day.
However, the company was not content with that. It filed a claim for damages
against Afrinic on July 23 for "unlawful termination" and "illegal acts. The
Supreme Court granted the claim based on information provided by CI. However,
it warned that a counter-action by Afrinic is possible "at CI's peril". The
case will be called again in court on August 4.
Impact on Afrinic
An explanatory video from Afrinic's Chief Executive Officer, Eddy Kayihura, was
released Tuesday. He explains that July salaries were able to be processed
before the freeze of accounts and that support from other RIRs was sought so
that a stability fund created in 2015 could be used to ensure a safe and stable
global internet. He added that Afrinic's legal panel has requested a variation
of the freeze before a judge in chambers on Monday, but if that request is not
approved and Afrinic is deprived of long-term funds, "disruptions to Internet
service in the Indian Ocean, the African continent and parts of the world" are
possible.
Contacted by the Express, the president of Afrinic, Subramanian Moonesamy, said
he respects the decision of the Supreme Court. However, he hopes that a
solution will be found "in the interest" of all parties concerned. "It's really
unfortunate because 50 employees are affected by this decision to freeze the
accounts, but we remain optimistic."
One of Afrinic's board directors, Mark Elkins, submitted his resignation on
July 26. Without going into detail because of confidentiality agreements, he
said through a mailing list that he "does not agree" with what is happening and
that he has been "misled. When asked, Subramanian Moonesamy did not wish to say
more, arguing that it was not his place to comment on another person's choice.
"I respect his decision."
Cloud Innovation justifies its actions
Since 2020, CI has refuted the allegations against it. After Afrinic's initial
"threats," its founder, Lu Heng, said that it was only recently that RIR
imposed restrictions on the use of its resources and that at the time of the
agreement between the two, it was not Afrinic's policy to mandate that the
allocated resources be used only in Africa.
Lu Heng also maintained that there was no question of China having a
stranglehold on African territory, as Afrinic claims. "We realize that the
African Internet is still underdeveloped. We are doing our best to help the
continent." In a statement issued on July 26, CI contends that "Afrinic acted
in bad faith to tarnish its reputation" and that the company had "no choice but
to take the necessary actions to protect hundreds of customers."
ABOUT
Afrinic is one of five RIRs worldwide. It was established in 2004 and is
headquartered in Ebony. As the RIR for Africa and the Indian Ocean region, it
is responsible for the distribution and management of Internet number resources
consisting of the IP Address Space (IPv4 and IPv6) and Autonomous System
Numbers (ASNs). Anyone wishing to connect to the Internet or to a host server
to publish content online must have an Internet Protocol (IP) address. These
addresses are essential resources for accessing the Internet. Afrinic has 1,900
members, including Cloud Innovation, Mauritius Telecom and La Sentinelle.
