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→Current Applicants
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]].
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]].
In July 2013, the contentious application for .africa from DCA was deemed "incomplete" and failed Initial Evaluation on the grounds of not furnishing proper support to the geographic names panel. DCA acknowledged the failure and while it is not eligible for extended review, they promised to restore the application.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130705_update_on_initial_evaluation_result_for_africa_application/ Update on Initial Evaluation Result for Africa Application, CircleID.com] Published 5 July Retrieved 10 July 2013</ref>
===GAC Early Warnings & Response===
===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.
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.