Changes

[[Sophia Bekele]] further develop the proposal and an awareness creation of the DotAfrica gTLD through her non-profit organization [[DotConnectAfrica]] (DCA), which would serve as the sponsor and registry operator.  Since then, Bekele has actively campaigned for the .africa proposal among organizations and communities in the African region and the global African and internet community. In 2008, Bekele announced DCA's DotAfrica initiative during the public forum at the ICANN Paris Meeting.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2008/06/22-june-2008-paris-icann-dot-africa-initiative-announced-icann-paris-meeting/ 22 June 2008 – Paris ICANN: DotAfrica Initiative announced at ICANN Paris meeting]</ref>

[[Sophia Bekele]] further develop the proposal and an awareness creation of the DotAfrica gTLD through her non-profit organization [[DotConnectAfrica]] (DCA), which would serve as the sponsor and registry operator.  Since then, Bekele has actively campaigned for the .africa proposal among organizations and communities in the African region and the global African and internet community. In 2008, Bekele announced DCA's DotAfrica initiative during the public forum at the ICANN Paris Meeting.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2008/06/22-june-2008-paris-icann-dot-africa-initiative-announced-icann-paris-meeting/ 22 June 2008 – Paris ICANN: DotAfrica Initiative announced at ICANN Paris meeting]</ref>

===AUC Letter of Endorsement to DCA DotAfrica Project===

===AUC Letter of Endorsement to DCA's DotAfrica Project===

On August 27, 2009, the African Union Commission (AUC) expressed its support for DCA's DotAfrica Project, also expressing a willingness to provide assistance in the coordination of the initiative with the African Ministers and Governments. Furthermore, the AUC endorsed the DCA initiative.  The letter was signed by AUC Chairman Jean Ping.<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31565131/African-Union-AU-Endorsement-of-DotConnectAfrica#fullscreen:on African Union Commission Letter, Subject: Endorsement of the Dot Africa (.africa) Initiative]</ref>  In addition, During the 2009 African Union conference at Johannesburg, South Africa, the AU Ministers expressed their support of the DotAfrica proposal and acknowledged its possible benefits for the development of the Internet within the African continent.  This was based on the proposal submitted to the AU by DCA during the previous years and after DCA was already endorsed by the African.  The Ministers adopted a resolution to establish [[.africa]] as a continental TLD for use by organizations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies.<ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref>.  

On August 27, 2009, the African Union Commission (AUC) expressed its support for DCA's DotAfrica Project, also expressing a willingness to provide assistance in the coordination of the initiative with the African Ministers and Governments. Furthermore, the AUC endorsed the DCA initiative.  The letter was signed by AUC Chairman Jean Ping.<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31565131/African-Union-AU-Endorsement-of-DotConnectAfrica#fullscreen:on African Union Commission Letter, Subject: Endorsement of the Dot Africa (.africa) Initiative]</ref>  In addition, During the 2009 African Union conference at Johannesburg, South Africa, the AU Ministers expressed their support of the DotAfrica proposal and acknowledged its possible benefits for the development of the Internet within the African continent.  This was based on the proposal submitted to the AU by DCA during the previous years and after DCA was already endorsed by the African.  The Ministers adopted a resolution to establish [[.africa]] as a continental TLD for use by organizations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies.<ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref>.  

On May 12, 2010, nearly eight months after endorsing DCA, the AUC tried to retract the endorsement made by AUC Chairman Jean Ping to DCA, under what DCA alleged is a forged letter.  A year after this alleged retraction, the AUC issues a clarification stating they are supporting or endorsing any individual or organization.  In addition, the AUC announced that entities must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), on which they would base their selection and endorsement. <ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-107/Communique_Statement_by_AUC_on_Dot_Africa_May_10th__AO+MY_+BK_Comments%5b1%5d.pdf COMMUNIQUE: The Africa Union Commission Clarification on Dot Africa]]</ref>

On May 12, 2010, nearly eight months after endorsing DCA, the AUC tried to retract the endorsement made by AUC Chairman Jean Ping to DCA, under what DCA alleged is a forged letter.  A year after this alleged retraction, the AUC issues a clarification stating they are supporting or endorsing any individual or organization.  In addition, the AUC announced that entities must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), on which they would base their selection and endorsement. <ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-107/Communique_Statement_by_AUC_on_Dot_Africa_May_10th__AO+MY_+BK_Comments%5b1%5d.pdf COMMUNIQUE: The Africa Union Commission Clarification on Dot Africa]]</ref>

In 2010 the African Union called for a dotAfrica TaskForce that did not include DCA and drafted a document expressing interest in owning and leading the dotafrica gTLD and applying to ICANN itself.<ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref>, <ref>[http://www.pctechmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=189:press-release-dot-africa-gtld-project&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=162]]</ref>. The AU then issued an Expression for dotafrica gTLD for organizations to apply directly to African Union for the operations of a dotAfrica Registry.  Since then, African entities has been interested in the implementation of DotAfrica as a new gTLD, including AfTLD, and ARC.  The DCA opposed this move of African Union calling for a mandate for an African Registry, saying African Union does not have a mandate to give a mandate.<ref>[[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104237255664.html]]</ref>.

In 2010 the African Union called for a dotAfrica TaskForce that did not include DCA and drafted a document expressing interest in owning and leading the dotafrica gTLD and applying to ICANN directly.<ref>[http://www.nepad.org/system/files/Background%20note%20%20on%20DotAfrica%20-Final%20version%20ENG.pdf African Union Briefing Note on .Africa]</ref>, <ref>[http://www.pctechmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=189:press-release-dot-africa-gtld-project&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=162]]</ref>. The AU then issued an Expression for dotafrica gTLD for organizations to apply directly to African Union for the operations of a dotAfrica Registry.  Since then, African entities has been interested in the implementation of DotAfrica as a new gTLD, including AfTLD, and ARC.  The DCA opposed this move of African Union calling for a mandate for an African Registry, saying African Union does not have a mandate to give a mandate.<ref>[[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104237255664.html]]</ref>.

===DCA Reaction to African Union EOI===

===DCA Reaction to African Union EOI===

DCA criticized the AU's decision to implement the EOI submission competition process for its endorsement on the ICANN application for .africa. In a statement, DCA pointed out that the AU's objective to implement transparency and accountability in the EOI process sounded hollow and unbelievable and emphasized that the AU's clarification was untruthful to the extent that it did not acknowledge its previous endorsement of DCA. DCA also said that the EOI process had already been compromised, as the AU Task Force had openly expressed its support for AfTLD during the 2011 annual African [[ccTLD]] event in Ghana. Additionally, the AU Task Force are the same members that have expressing Interest in the dotAfrica proposal for themselves, therefore a major<ref>[[http://www.pctechmagazine.com/Communique_on_DotAfrica_08Nov2010_v2.pdf]]</ref> conflict of interest exists.  Furthermore, DCA encouraged all entities to ignore the AU EOI process and requested the AU Commission to stop the process immediately.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11503736-yes2dotafrica-say-no-to-african-union-expression-of-interest-eoi-for-dotafrica.html Yes2DotAfrica Say "No" to African Union Expression of Interest (EOI) for DotAfrica]</ref>,<ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-101/Post_Event_Press_release_final+AftLD.pdf event in Accra]</ref>.

DCA criticized the AU's decision to implement the EOI submission competition process for its endorsement on the ICANN application for .africa. In a statement, DCA pointed out that the AU's objective to implement transparency and accountability in the EOI process sounded hollow and unbelievable and emphasized that the AU's clarification was untruthful to the extent that it did not acknowledge its previous endorsement to DCA.   

===DCA Yes2DotAfrica Campaign===

DCA has announced that it plans to continue with its application for .africa with or without the AUC's support, as it believed the original Endorsements granted to it by the AUC is valid and any calling any retraction attempt as sabotage and unsuccessful.  At [[ICANN 40]] in San Francisco in March 2011, DCA and its delegation introduced its Yes2DotAfrica campaign and spoke with registry vendors about DCA's EOI to apply for .africa. During the meeting, DCA claimed that it received support from a majority of the ICANN community for its initiative. Bekele said that collaboration and non-competitive collaboration are possible in the bid for .africa and should be considered.  She stated that her organization is open to discuss a collaborative bid. She further recalled DCA's initial commitment saying, "We will welcome guidance from all African Internet agencies in our organized effort; as well as the same from our international partners”.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2011/03/yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-icann-40-san-francisco-ca/ Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>

 

===DCA Yes to DotAfrica Campaign===

DCA has announced that it plans to continue with its application for .africa with or without the AUC's support, as it believed the original endorsements granted to it by the AUC is valid and calling any retraction attempt as sabotage and unsuccessful.  At [[ICANN 40]] in San Francisco in March 2011, DCA and its delegation introduced its Yes to DotAfrica campaign and spoke with registry vendors about DCA's EOI to apply for .africa. During the meeting, DCA claimed that it received support from a majority of the ICANN community for its initiative. Bekele said that collaboration and non-competitive collaboration are possible in the bid for .africa and should be considered.  She stated that her organization is open to discuss a collaborative bid. She further recalled DCA's initial commitment in their press statement after its  endorsement by AUC saying "We will welcome guidance from all African Internet agencies in our organized effort; as well as the same from our international partners”.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2011/03/yes2dotafrica-campaign-successful-icann-40-san-francisco-ca/ Yes2dotAfrica Campaign successful at ICANN 40 in San Francisco, CA]</ref>

==AfTLD Bid for DotAfrica==

==AfTLD Bid for DotAfrica==

On March 9, 2011, AfTLD Chairman Vikas Mpisane announced that AfTLD would seek the endorsement of the African Union in connection with its application become the registry operator for the proposed .africa gTLD.<ref>[[http://domainincite.com/3796-competition-for-africa-heats-up]]</ref>. According to Mpisane, the organization is interested managing both DotAfrica and its French version, .afrique, which is notable, as a purported 50% of Africans speak French. The organization is confident that it will be successful with its bid for the DotAfrica project, given the support it has received from the African community, African governments and its close relationship with other Africa internet organizations such as [[AfNOG]], [[AfriNIC]] and [[AfrISPA]].<ref>[http://www.aftld.org/html/english/news_dotafrica.html AfTLD takes on .africa]</ref>

On March 9, 2011, AfTLD Chairman Vikas Mpisane announced that AfTLD would seek the endorsement of the African Union in connection with its application to become the registry operator for the proposed .africa gTLD.<ref>[[http://domainincite.com/3796-competition-for-africa-heats-up]]</ref>. According to Mpisane, the organization is interested managing both DotAfrica and its French version, .afrique, which is notable, as a purported 50% of Africans speak French. The organization is confident that it will be successful with its bid for the DotAfrica project, given the support it has received from the African community, African governments and its close relationship with other Africa internet organizations such as [[AfNOG]], [[AfriNIC]] and [[AfrISPA]].<ref>[http://www.aftld.org/html/english/news_dotafrica.html AfTLD takes on .africa]</ref>

Following its announcement to seek the AU endorsement, during the 5th Annual African ccTLD Event in Accra, Ghana on May 2011, [[Haruna Iddrissu]], Ghana Minister of Communications and [[Nii Quaynor|Dr. Nii Quaynor]], Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Internet Task Force, expressed their support for AfTLD's bid to become the registry operator of .africa.<ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-101/Post_Event_Press_release_final+AftLD.pdf AfTLD concludes a successful annual concludes a successful annual African ccTLD event in Accra]</ref>.  DCA opposed to the AFTLD bid due to the conflict of interest of the AUC Task force members aligning themselves with members of AFTLD, calling the proposal campaigning against it as the the "GAMEKEEPER is also the POACHER!!!". Also stating that the African ccTLDs do not own the AFTLD, thus is unrepresentative of Africa as AFTLD claims.<ref>[[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104815470848.html]]</ref>.  The AFTLD bid then did not success on its own.

Following its announcement to seek the AU endorsement, during the 5th Annual African ccTLD Event in Accra, Ghana on May 2011, [[Haruna Iddrissu]], Ghana Minister of Communications and [[Nii Quaynor|Dr. Nii Quaynor]], Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Internet Task Force, expressed their support for AfTLD's bid to become the registry operator of .africa.<ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150-101/Post_Event_Press_release_final+AftLD.pdf AfTLD concludes a successful annual concludes a successful annual African ccTLD event in Accra]</ref>.  DCA opposed to the AFTLD bid due to the conflict of interest of the AUC Task force members aligning themselves with members of AFTLD, calling the proposal campaigning against it as the the "GAMEKEEPER is also the POACHER!!!". Also stating that the African ccTLDs do not own the AFTLD, thus is unrepresentative of Africa as AFTLD claims.<ref>[[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104815470848.html]]</ref>.  The AFTLD bid then did not success on its own.