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Line 1: − + − + − + − + − + − + − |keypeople = − + − + − There are two applicants vying for the TLD, although in the past there were rumors of several others. These entities are: [[DotConnectAfrica]] (DCA), a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization based in Nairobi, Kenya and incorporated in Mauritius, founded by [[Sophia Bekele]];<ref>[http://dotafrica.blogspot.com/p/dotafrica.html About DotAfrica]</ref> and [[Registry.Africa]], which is operated by [[UniForum SA]] and backed by the African Union, the [[AfTLD]], [[AfriNIC]], and others.<ref>[http://www.africainonespace.org africainonespace.org]</ref> Other organizations who have in the past publicly considered submitting applications are the [[AfTLD]] and [[ARC]].+ + + + + + + + + + + + + − + + Line 26:
Line 38: − In February 2012, the African Union Commission (AUC) announced that it had chosen [[UniForum SA]], registry operator for [[.za]], as the registry operator for its .africa application in conjunction with [[AfTLD]] after an RFP in December 2011.<ref>[http://mybroadband.co.za/news/internet/44077-uniforum-sa-to-administer-africa-domain.html UniForum SA to administer .africa domain, mybroadband.co.za]</ref> Later that month, it was announced that [[Sedari]] would assist in supporting the application with its financial, technical and policy support services.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/sedari-working-on-africa-gtld-bid/ Sedari working on .africa gTLD bid, domainincite.com]</ref> In response to these announcements, DCA issued a [http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1109462804750.html press release] accusing the AU's selection of UniForum SA to be in bad faith, and that the AU's power to select a back-end registry operator for the .africa TLD is illegitimate.<ref>[http://aptantech.com/2012/03/dca-challenges-africa-union-on-full-disclosure-over-dotafrica-gtld-matters/ DCA challenges Africa Union on full disclosure over (dot)Africa gTLD matters, aptantech.com]</ref>+ + + + + + + + − UniForum SA, supported by the AUC, [[AfTLD]], [[AfriNIC]], and other organizations, applied for .africa under the company [[Registry.Africa]].<ref>[http://africainonespace.org/members.php?id=2&title=STEERING%20COMMITTEE Registry.Africa Steering Committee]</ref> It has the support of over 39 individual African governments.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/22938690/Africa-AUC-42560.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1353382039000 Africa AUC, GACweb.ICANN.org] Retrieved 24 November 2012]</ref>+ − + − + Line 51:
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{{TLD|
{{TLD|
|logo =
|logo = DotAfricaLogoNew.png
|status = Proposed
|status = Delegated
|manager =
|manager =ZACR
|country = African region
|country = African region
|stringcontention = Yes
|stringcontention =
|registryprovider =
|registryprovider =
|date =
|date =15 Feb 2017
|type = [[GeoTLD]]
|type = [[GeoTLD]]
|community =
|community =
|priority = 307 - [[UniForum SA]]<br>1005 - [[DotConnectAfrica]]
|priority = 307 - [[UniForum SA]]
}}
}}
'''.africa''' is a proposed new [[gTLD]] for the promotion of African Identity (businesses, people and culture) on the Internet.
'''.africa''' is a delegated new [[gTLD]] for the promotion of African Identity (businesses, people and culture) on the Internet. After many years of litigation, .africa was delegated to the Root Zone on February 17, 2017. <ref>[http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/africa.html .AFRICA Delegation]. Retrieved 17 Feb 2017. </ref> The string will reach general availability 04 July 2017. <ref>[https://www.itnewsafrica.com/2017/03/icann-approves-dotafrica-launch-dates/ ICANN Approves Launch Dates]. Retrieved 31 Mar 2017.</ref>
===Applicants===
===GAC Early Warnings & Response===
DCA's bid for .africa recieved 17 [[GAC]] Early Warnings, which are noted as strong recommendations on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given application should be denied. [[UniForum SA]]'s [[Registry.Africa]] bid received no such warnings.
On December 5th 2012, DCA, via its CEO [[Sophia Bekele]], responded to the [[GAC]] Early warnings as recommended by ICANN remediation procedure. It was presumably sent not only to each objecting GAC member but the the [[ICANN Board]] as well. The letter addresses each aspect of the original warnings and its number of points include:
* All of the GAC Early Warnings are similar or identical and therefore imply that the respective governments did not independently decide to object but were "were teleguided (or manipulated) into submitting these GAC Early Warning Advice, and as such, cannot really be considered as authentic in most cases." DCA also notes that even governments that still had standing support for the DCA bid, such as Kenya, issued GAC Early Warnings, further underscoring the lack of legitimate objection and substantive dialogue on behalf of the objectors.
* DCA notes that the African Union Commission (AUC) has likely consolidated the opposition due to DCA's prior protests over the AUC's desire to make .africa and its IDN versions reserved strings. This was undertaken at [[ICANN Dakar]], and Chairman of the Board [[Steve Crocker]] noted that such special reservations could not be made but that the AUC could still participate in and influence the delegation of .africa. DCA sees this as an unfounded recommendation on the part of ICANN for the AUC to follow specific objection procedures.
* DCA refutes the process by which [[UniForum SA]] were selected as the AUC backed candidate. It argues the process, which has been described as an "open RFP", was not fair and open and that then Chairman of [[AfTLD]], [[Vika Mpisane]], made the recommendation unilaterally. Going on to say that "nepotism, cronyism, abuse of office, and influence-peddling played a huge role in the appointment of UniForum." They go on to ask the AUC to release full-details about the RFP, including who applied, how they were evaluated, and the final rankings and approval minutes related to the decision.
* DCA argues that the AUC should not be seen as an endorsing entity given that it is, in essence, a co-applicant in the [[UniForum SA]] bid.
* DCA claims that if the AUC wants to unilaterally speak for the African "community" then it should have submitted a [[Community TLD|community based application]].<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Response-to-the-ICANN-GAC-Early-Warning-Advice-against-the-.Africa-Application-Submitted-by-DotConnectAfrica-Trust.pdf?goback=%2Egde_1840166_member_204519856 Response to the ICANN GAC Early Warning, DotConnectAfrica.org] Published 5 Dec 2012, Retrieved 15 Jan 2013</ref>
'''The whole response can be read [http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Response-to-the-ICANN-GAC-Early-Warning-Advice-against-the-.Africa-Application-Submitted-by-DotConnectAfrica-Trust.pdf?goback=%2Egde_1840166_member_204519856 here].'''
===Independent Objector===
The [[Independent Objector]] (IO) is a non-partisan, contracted appointee whose role was mandated by the applicant guidebook for [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]], and who is responsible for officially objecting to new gTLDs that are dangerous to the public good. This process also involves reviewing "controversial applications," those that have received significant public comments, and investigating whether a public need for objection is provided for tin these comments. Thus, the Independent Objector issued a preliminary report on .africa, noting that DCA's bid for .africa had received many comments that call the applicant illegitimate and its application for .africa unwarranted and unsupported. The IO notes that .africa is clearly a geographic name, and that as such needs representative support of the regional government, which DCA's application for .africa does not have, thus, the IO noted that it will not likely pass its geographic names review test. The IO goes on to argue that communication with DCA has not convinced him that a community objection from him is not warranted, and seems to only be unnecessary when considering the fact that he strongly believes that DCA will fail the geographic names test and therefore not need a community objection to discredit its application.<ref>[http://www.independent-objector-newgtlds.org/english-version/the-independent-objector-s-comments-on-controversial-applications/africa-general-comment/ Africa General Comment, Independent Objector] 5 March 2013</ref>
DCA's bid for .africa recieved 17 [[GAC]] Early Warnings, which are noted as strong recommendations on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given application should be denied. [[UniForum SA]]'s [[Registry.Africa]] bid received no such warnings.
===GAC Objection===
The DCA bid for .africa was only one of two strings that received a unanimous [[GAC]] Objection, the other being [[.gcc]]. The objection is intended to be a very strong recommendation that the [[ICANN Board]] should not allow an application to be approved.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Governmental+Advisory+Committee GAC Beijing Communique Download from, GACweb.ICANN.org] Retrieved 30 May 2013</ref> [[ICANN]]'s New gTLD Committee ([[NGPC]]) issued the [[Beijing Communique]] in response to the [[GAC]]'s early warning, supporting its advice to deny DCA's application. DCA then received an official notification from [[ICANN]] that their application was 'not approved'.<ref name="Tilting Windmills" /> DCA implored the ICANN Board to not consider the GAC Advice and presented their case against the other applicant, UniForum, and the process by which the African Union selected them; their full response can be found [http://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/applicants/23may13/gac-advice-response-1-1165-42560-en.pdf?utm_source=DotConnectAfrica+Update%3A+Status+of+our+gTLD+Application+%26+Current+Engagements+wi&utm_campaign=DotConnectAfrica+Update%3A+Status+of++our+new+gTLD+Application+%26+Current+Engagements+with+the+U.S.Congress&utm_medium=archive here].
==Background==
==Background==
==Registry.Africa (UniForum SA) Bid==
==Registry.Africa (UniForum SA) Bid==
On April 4th, 2012, [[Dr. Elham M. A. Ibrahim]], the Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union informed Uniforum SA, trading as ZA Central Registry (ZACR) of its official appointment as the "Official Applicant and Registry Operator for [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]]. [[UniForum SA]]/[[ZACR]] submitted all application materials to [[ICANN]] on June 13, 2012.<ref name="Tilting Windmills">http://icannwiki.com/images/3/37/DotAfrica.Hurter.pdf</ref>
Their mission and objective was outlined in their application and include:
* establishing a world class domain name registry by engaging African technology and expertise
* creating a [[gTLD]] that marks Africa's online identity, and reflects the continent's rich diversity and potential
* positioning the [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]] as the preferred option for citizens and business located in Africa or strongly associated with the continent
* emphasizing that the new [[gTLD]] would be "by Africa, for Africa"
[[ZACR]]'s application succeeded its initial step toward the [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]]. [[ICANN]] and [[ZACR]] completed the official [[dotAfrica]] [[gTLD]] Registry Agreement at the [[ICANN 49 - Singapore]] meeting, March 24th, 2014.
==DotConnectAfrica Bid==
==DotConnectAfrica Bid==
In 2008, Bekele announced DCA's DotAfrica initiative during the public forum at [[ICANN 32]] in Paris.<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>
In 2008, Bekele announced [[DotConnectAfrica|DCA]]'s DotAfrica initiative during the public forum at [[ICANN 32]] in Paris.<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's 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. 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 in Johannesburg, South Africa, the AU Ministers expressed their support of the .africa 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. 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. The letter was signed by AUC Chairman confirmed that the AUC 'welcomes' the initiative of DCA. <ref name="Tilting Windmills" />In addition, during the 2009 African Union conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, the AU Ministers expressed their support of the .africa 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. 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>.
===AUC's interest in DotAfrica===
===AUC's interest in DotAfrica===
===.dotafrica===
===.dotafrica===
On Reveal Day for ICANN's New gTLD Program, on June 13th, 2012, it was discovered that DCA had applied for .dotafrica.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2012/06/13/doh-group-applies-for-dotafrica-vistaprint-applies-for-webs-twice-and-merck-for-merck-thrice/ .Doh! Group applies for .dotafrica, Vistaprint applies for .webs twice, and Merck for .Merck thrice, domainnamewire.com]</ref> DCA announced that this was a mistake, a result of a misunderstanding of how the string field was supposed to be filled in.<ref>[http://domainnewsafrica.com/the-curious-case-of-dotafrica-2/ The curious and lingering case of .dotafrica, domainnewsafrica.com]</ref> On June 19th, ICANN announced that it was looking into the possibility of allowing companies to fix mistakes in their applications.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2012/06/19/icann-may-let-new-tld-applicants-modify-their-applications/ ICANN may let new TLD applicants modify their applications, domainnamewire.com]</ref> This mistake was among dozens that were later allowed to be corrected by ICANN.
On Reveal Day for ICANN's New gTLD Program, on June 13th, 2012, it was discovered that DCA had applied for .dotafrica.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2012/06/13/doh-group-applies-for-dotafrica-vistaprint-applies-for-webs-twice-and-merck-for-merck-thrice/ .Doh! Group applies for .dotafrica, Vistaprint applies for .webs twice, and Merck for .Merck thrice, domainnamewire.com]</ref> DCA announced that this was a mistake, a result of a misunderstanding of how the string field was supposed to be filled in.<ref>[http://domainnewsafrica.com/the-curious-case-of-dotafrica-2/ The curious and lingering case of .dotafrica, domainnewsafrica.com]</ref> On June 19th, ICANN announced that it was looking into the possibility of allowing companies to fix mistakes in their applications.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2012/06/19/icann-may-let-new-tld-applicants-modify-their-applications/ ICANN may let new TLD applicants modify their applications, domainnamewire.com]</ref> This mistake was among dozens that were later allowed to be corrected by ICANN.
===Letter to U.S. Congress===
Following apparently unresponsive communication sent to [[ICANN]] and the African Union, DCA appealed to members of the U.S. Congress in February, 2013. [[Sophia Bekele]] wrote on behalf of DCA, and reiterated their issues with the manner in which UniForum received and carried out the AU's endorsement. She notes that DCA does not feel there are sufficient mechanisms for appeal or dealing with corruption and ask the U.S. Congress to intervene immediately and create a special Ombudsman position for the entirety of the program.<Ref name="DCA to Congress">[http://domainincite.com/11958-nutty-dca-complains-to-us-congress-about-africa Nutty DCA Complains to US Congress about Africa, DomainIncite.com] Published & Retrieved 22 Feb 2013</ref> After DCA replied to its [[GAC]] Objection, the organization put out a blog post that highlighted its continued contact with the U.S. Congress and noted that it had been having meeting with congressional aides.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2013/05/dotconnectafrica-update-status-of-our-gtld-application-current-engagements-with-the-u-s-congress/ DotConnectAfricaUpdate Status of Our gTLD Application Current Engagements with The US Congress, DotConnectAfrica.org] Retrieved 30 May 2013</ref>
==Past Bids==
==Past Bids==
===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 to become the registry operator for the proposed .africa gTLD.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/3796-competition-for-africa-heats-up]</ref> According to Mr. Mpisane, the organization was interested in managing both DotAfrica and its French version, .afrique. The organization was confident that it would 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, incuding [[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 [[Vika 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 Mr. Mpisane, the organization was interested in managing both DotAfrica and its French version, .afrique. The organization was confident that it would 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, incuding [[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>
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> AfTLD went on to support the current bid submitted by UniForum (ZACR).<ref name= "DCA to Congress"></ref>
===ARC Bid for DotAfrica===
===ARC Bid for DotAfrica===
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
{{reflist}}</div>
[[Category:TLD]]
[[Category:TLD]]
[[Category:GeoTLD|africa]]
[[Category:GeoTLD|africa]]