Changes

{{CompanyInfo|

{{CompanyInfo|

| logo            = DCA.JPG‎  

| logo            = DCA.JPG‎  

| type            = Non-Profit, Non-Partisan, Independent

| type            = Non-Profit

| industry        = Internet, DNS

| industry        = Internet

| founded        =

| founded        =

| founders        = Sophia Bekele

| founders        = [[Sophia Bekele]]

| ownership      =  

| ownership      =  

| headquarters    = I/F River Court 6th Denis Street Port Louis  

| headquarters    = I/F River Court 6th Denis Street Port Louis  

| linkedin        =  

| linkedin        =  

| twitter        =  

| twitter        =  

| keypeople      = [[Sophia Bekele]], Founder & Executive Director

| keypeople      = <ul><li>[[Sophia Bekele]], Founder & CEO</li>

}}

}}

'''DotConnectAfrica (DCA)''' is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization that has its base of operation in Nairobi, Kenya and headquartered in I/F River Court 6th Denis Street Port Louis, Mauritius, Africa.  Its main objective is to sponsor, establish and operate the proposed new Top Level Domain (TLD) [[.africa]], pronounced as dotAfrica that will cater for the needs of the African and Pan-African constituency and also to address the lack of adequate internet policy in Africa. DCA is well represented in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, South Africa, London United Kingdom, and California, USA. <ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/about/ About DCA]</ref>

'''DotConnectAfrica (DCA)''' is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization that has its base of operation in Nairobi, Kenya and headquartered in I/F River Court 6th Denis Street Port Louis, Mauritius, Africa.  Its main objective is to sponsor, establish and operate the proposed new Top Level Domain (TLD) [[.africa]], pronounced as dotAfrica that will cater for the needs of the African and Pan-African constituency and also to address the lack of adequate internet policy in Africa. DCA is well represented in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, South Africa, London United Kingdom, and California, USA. <ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/about/ About DCA]</ref>

==Mission==

==Mission==

DCA aims to accomplish the following missions:

DCA aims to accomplish the following missions:

== Trust Programs ==

== Trust Programs ==

DCA has already undertaken successful initiatives under its Trust program which include the following:

DCA has already undertaken successful initiatives under its Trust program which include the following:

The proposal to develop the DotAfrica TLD was first introduced by Sophia Bekele to the African Members of the [[ICANN Board]] in 2006 <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10916169-dotconnectafrica-lauched-its-official-africa-campaign-at-the-aitec-ict-summit.html DotConnectAfrica lauched its official ".africa" campaign at the AITEC ICT Summit]</ref>, and different African organizations of the ICANN community during the [[ICANN 28]] meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007<ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/Nyosef/dotafrica Africa's Map in Digital Inclusion Presention to ICANN, Lisbon Canada]</ref>. She emphasized the importance of the .africa domain name for the benefit of the African region’s internet development and how it could serve as global identity for African internet users, as [[.asia]] and [[.eu]] do for their regions. Bekele argued that the initiative was compliant with the objectives and policies of various international organizations aiming to strengthen Africa's ICT sector, including the [[WSIS]], the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).<ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/Nyosef/dotafrica .Africa's Map in the Digital Inclusion: A Common Voice for Africa By Sophia Bekele]</ref>

The proposal to develop the DotAfrica TLD was first introduced by Sophia Bekele to the African Members of the [[ICANN Board]] in 2006 <ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10916169-dotconnectafrica-lauched-its-official-africa-campaign-at-the-aitec-ict-summit.html DotConnectAfrica lauched its official ".africa" campaign at the AITEC ICT Summit]</ref>, and different African organizations of the ICANN community during the [[ICANN 28]] meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007<ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/Nyosef/dotafrica Africa's Map in Digital Inclusion Presention to ICANN, Lisbon Canada]</ref>. She emphasized the importance of the .africa domain name for the benefit of the African region’s internet development and how it could serve as global identity for African internet users, as [[.asia]] and [[.eu]] do for their regions. Bekele argued that the initiative was compliant with the objectives and policies of various international organizations aiming to strengthen Africa's ICT sector, including the [[WSIS]], the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).<ref>[http://www.slideshare.net/Nyosef/dotafrica .Africa's Map in the Digital Inclusion: A Common Voice for Africa By Sophia Bekele]</ref>

During the [[ICANN 32]] International ICANN Public Meeting in Paris France, Bekele officially announced her bid to apply for the .africa TLD through DotConnectAfrica.<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 meeting in Paris France]</ref>

During the [[ICANN 32]] International ICANN Public Meeting, Bekele officially announced her bid to apply for the .africa TLD through DotConnectAfrica.<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>

==Endorsements to DCA==

==Endorsements to DCA==

The organization received endorsement and support from the African Union Commission ([[AUC]]) through its Chairman, Jean Ping, on August 27, 2009. Ping expressed that the AUC was willing to assist DCA in the coordination the DotAfrica initiative with African ministers and governments.<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, Amina Salima, head of the African Union Mission in Washington, also supported DCA’s DotAfrica initiative. Salima said, "one of the objectives of the African Union Mission in the USA is to mobilize the African Diaspora efforts. Towards this end, the AU mission would like to express support for the .africa initiative."  Abdoulie Janneh, UN under-secretary-general and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (UNECA), also sent a letter of endorsement to DCA <ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/31566444/Economic-Commission-for-Africa-ECA-Endorsment-of-DotConnectAfrica United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (UNECA) Endorsement of the Dot Africa (.africa) Initiative]</ref> stating the following: "I write to express my support on behalf of ECA. This is a worthwhile initiative that will contribute substantially to helping Africa bridge the digital divide. It will certainly help the continent to derive similar benefits from the successful experience from the European Union which has the .eu domain and that of Asia with its .asia domain.” <ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/47402645/endorsement-letter-from-corporate-council-on-africa-cca-to-dotconnectafrica Corporate Council Of Africa (CCA) Endorsement of the Dot Africa (.africa) Initiative]</ref> Other high-ranking officials from different  governments in Africa also supported DCA's initiative.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10497979-african-union-endorses-the-domain-name-africa-to-dotconnectafrica-organization.html African Union endorses the domain name “.Africa” to DotConnectAfrica Organization]</ref> During the [[ICANN 37]] Meeting at Nairobi, Kenya in 2010, the members of the Nairobi technical community who attended the public forum also expressed their support to DCA.<ref>

The organization received endorsement and support from the African Union Commission ([[AUC]]) through its Chairman, Jean Ping, on August 27, 2009. Ping expressed that the AUC was willing to assist DCA in the coordination the DotAfrica initiative with African ministers and governments.<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, Amina Salima, head of the African Union Mission in Washington, also supported DCA’s DotAfrica initiative. Salima said, "one of the objectives of the African Union Mission in the USA is to mobilize the African Diaspora efforts. Towards this end, the AU mission would like to express support for the .africa initiative."  Abdoulie Janneh, UN under-secretary-general and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA), also sent a letter of endorsement to DCA stating the following: "I write to express my support on behalf of ECA. This is a worthwhile initiative that will contribute substantially to helping Africa bridge the digital divide. It will certainly help the continent to derive similar benefits from the successful experience from the European Union which has the .eu domain and that of Asia with its .asia domain.” Other high-ranking officials from different  governments in Africa also supported DCA's initiative.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10497979-african-union-endorses-the-domain-name-africa-to-dotconnectafrica-organization.html African Union endorses the domain name “.Africa” to DotConnectAfrica Organization]</ref> During the [[ICANN 37]] Meeting at Nairobi, Kenya in 2010, the members of the Nairobi technical community who attended the public forum also expressed their support to DCA.<ref>

[http://www.prlog.org/10609436-nairobi-technical-community-urged-icanns-strong-support-for-dcas-efforts-on-africa-domain.html Nairobi Technical Community urged ICANN's strong support for DCA's efforts on '.africa' domain!]</ref>

[http://www.prlog.org/10609436-nairobi-technical-community-urged-icanns-strong-support-for-dcas-efforts-on-africa-domain.html Nairobi Technical Community urged ICANN's strong support for DCA's efforts on '.africa' domain!]</ref>

DCA’s early global campaign and promotional work for DotAfrica has put the .africa TLD on the global TLD map.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.htmls Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe]</ref> In readiness for the important task of applying for a geographic TLD with the hope of operating the resulting gTLD registry (if the application to ICANN is successful), DCA has taken an avid interest in the Internet Domain Name Industry and has been an active participant at ICANN for several years - not only following developments within the industry, but also attending international ICANN meetings on a regular basis.   

DCA’s early global campaign and promotional work for DotAfrica has put the .africa TLD on the global TLD map.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.htmls Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe]</ref> In readiness for the important task of applying for a geographic TLD with the hope of operating the resulting gTLD registry (if the application to ICANN is successful), DCA has taken an avid interest in the Internet Domain Name Industry and has been an active participant at ICANN for several years - not only following developments within the industry, but also attending international ICANN meetings on a regular basis.   

DCA is fully supportive of ICANN, and its new gTLD programme objectives. DCA has also sponsored several ICANN meetings, notably in Brussels in 2008<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.htmls Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe]</ref> making it the first African organization to ever sponsor an ICANN international event and in Dakar, Senegal in 2011.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11673176-dotconnectafrica-icann-42-dakar-meet-the-yes2dotafrica-campaign-in-senegal.html ICANN 42 Dakar: Meet the Yes2dotAfrica Campaign in Senegal]</ref>

DCA is fully supportive of ICANN, and its new gTLD programme objectives. DCA has also sponsored several ICANN meetings, notably in Brussels in 2008<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10803421-progress-towards-africa-at-icann-38-in-brussels-the-capital-of-europe.htmls Progress towards a ".africa" at ICANN 38, in Brussels the Capital of Europe]</ref> and in Dakar, Senegal in 2011.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11673176-dotconnectafrica-icann-42-dakar-meet-the-yes2dotafrica-campaign-in-senegal.html ICANN 42 Dakar: Meet the Yes2dotAfrica Campaign in Senegal]</ref>

Its spearhead, Ms. Sophia Bekele has undertaken important policy-level work at [[ICANN]] as a gNSO Council member from 2005 to 2007 <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-04nov05-en.htm Sophia Bekele GNSO Council ICANN]</ref> and participated in the new gTLD policy development process (PDP).  She led the global promotional campaign for DotAfrica visiting various countries within the continent to sensitize various publics to help build consensus on the need and overall desirability of DotAfrica.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10918770-dotconnectafrica-provides-keynote-address-for-aitec-east-africa-ict-summit.html DotConnectAfrica at AITEC Nairobi]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/10690505-africa-at-aitec-west-africa.html ".Africa" at AITEC Lagos Nigeria in West Africa]</ref> She also provided a written letter of support of the ICANN new gTLD programme to the U.S. National Technology & Information Administration (NTIA) of the United States Department of Commerce to ensure official top-level U.S. governmental support for the ICANN new gTLD programme initiative in Washington D.C. which is required for its global and unconditional success.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104224678384.html Open Letter to US Department of Commerce National Telecommunication Information Administration (NTIA)  in support of teh ICANN New gTLD Programme and making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD]</ref> In 2012, she also wrote an. Open Letter to US Congress to Express Support in Defense of the Status Quo on Global Internet Governance Model and Reaffirmation of the Multistakeholder Process<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104224678384.html Open Letter to US Department of Commerce National Telecommunication Information Administration (NTIA)  in support of teh ICANN New gTLD Programme and making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD]</ref>

Its spearhead, Ms. Sophia Bekele has undertaken important policy-level work at [[ICANN]] as a gNSO Council member from 2005 to 2007 and participated in the new gTLD policy development process (PDP).  She led the global promotional campaign for DotAfrica visiting various countries within the continent to sensitive various publics to help build consensus on the need and overall desirability of DotAfrica. She also provided a written letter of support of the ICANN new gTLD programme to the U.S. National Technology & Information Administration (NTIA) of the United States Department of Commerce to ensure official top-level U.S. governmental support for the ICANN new gTLD programme initiative in Washington D.C. which is required for its global and unconditional success.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104224678384.html Open Letter to US Department of Commerce National Telecommunication Information Administration (NTIA)  in support of teh ICANN New gTLD Programme and making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD]</ref> In 2012, she also wrote an. Open Letter to US Congress to Express Support in Defense of the Status Quo on Global Internet Governance Model and Reaffirmation of the Multistakeholder Process<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104224678384.html Open Letter to US Department of Commerce National Telecommunication Information Administration (NTIA)  in support of teh ICANN New gTLD Programme and making a preliminary case for the .africa gTLD]</ref>

Concurrently, DCA launched a global promotional campaign establishing itself as lead and spearheading the [[.africa]] project under a <big><i>Yes2dotAfrica Campaign.</i></big> <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107084740992.html Be part of our Yes2dotAfrica Campaign,2009-12-09]</ref>

Concurrently, DCA launched a global promotional campaign establishing itself as lead and spearheading the [[.africa]] project under a <big><i>Yes2dotAfrica Campaign.</i></big> <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107084740992.html Be part of our Yes2dotAfrica Campaign,2009-12-09]</ref>

The African Union Commission issued a statement on May 12, 2010, referencing the endorsement letter issued by by Chairman Jean Ping to DCA, and stated that they would work with ICANN and other internet stakeholders to go through an open process to determine the implementation of .africa.  After the AU organized a DotAfrica Task Force, then the Task Force issued another letter a year after the prior, stating that the AU did not support nor endorse any individual or organization and announced that entities interested must submit their Expression of Interest (EOI), which would served as the Commission’s basis for endorsement and selection.<ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150107/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>  

The African Union Commission issued a statement on May 12, 2010, referencing the endorsement letter issued by by Chairman Jean Ping to DCA, and stated that they would work with ICANN and other internet stakeholders to go through an open process to determine the implementation of .africa.  After the AU organized a DotAfrica Task Force, then the Task Force issued another letter a year after the prior, stating that the AU did not support nor endorse any individual or organization and announced that entities interested must submit their Expression of Interest (EOI), which would served as the Commission’s basis for endorsement and selection.<ref>[http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102516344150107/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>  

<big><i>DCA's response to the AU retraction and the conflict that arose:</i></big>

<big><i>DCA's response to the AU retraction and the conflict that arose:</i></big>

During the [[IGF|Internet Governance Forum]] in Kenya on July 29, 2010, DCA urged participants to support its .africa application. According to her, "After the high level endorsements we received as per the application, we are now in the process of reaching out to the technical community to gain support based on the merit and the benefits of the initiative, and hoping that such forums as IGF would create a neutral platform for debate and raising issues with the .africa domain name and internet governance." She also said that the DCA governance model is based on the Kenya Network Information Center's ([[KeNIC]]) multi-stakeholder model.<ref>

During the [[IGF|Internet Governance Forum]] in Kenya on July 29, 2010, DCA urged participants to support its .africa application. According to her, "After the high level endorsements we received as per the application, we are now in the process of reaching out to the technical community to gain support based on the merit and the benefits of the initiative, and hoping that such forums as IGF would create a neutral platform for debate and raising issues with the .africa domain name and internet governance." She also said that the DCA governance model is based on the Kenya Network Information Center's ([[KeNIC]]) multi-stakeholder model.<ref>

[http://www.prlog.org/10810259-dotconnnectafrica-calls-for-support-of-africa-at-kenya-internet-governance-forum-igf.html DotConnnectAfrica calls for support of ".africa" at Kenya Internet Governance Forum (IGF)]</ref>

[http://www.prlog.org/10810259-dotconnnectafrica-calls-for-support-of-africa-at-kenya-internet-governance-forum-igf.html DotConnnectAfrica calls for support of ".africa" at Kenya Internet Governance Forum (IGF)]</ref>

== Application to ICANN ==

== Application to ICANN ==

The DotAfrica [[.africa]] gTLD application was submitted by DCA Trust during the application window that opened on 12 January 2012 and closed on 22 May 2012.  DCA  hopes to win the mandate from ICANN for the management of the  [[.africa]] gTLD to enable it administer this resource on behalf of its Pan-African constituency and other stakeholders around the globe.<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276;jsessionid=2500230032894FB8CB3F16550E33DF0Farchive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043 ICANN New gTLDs - Application Details]</ref>

The DotAfrica ([[.africa]]) gTLD application was submitted by DCA Trust during the application window that opened on 12 January 2012 and closed on 22 May 2012.  DCA  hopes to win the mandate from ICANN for the management of the  [[.africa]] gTLD to enable it administer this resource on behalf of its Pan-African constituency and other stakeholders around the globe.<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276;jsessionid=2500230032894FB8CB3F16550E33DF0Farchive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043 ICANN New gTLDs - Application Details]</ref>

# "..the understanding as presently clarified by this communication is that DCA Trust has applied for the same 'Africa' geographical name string as UniForum and this will be confirmed by the outcome of the Independent String Similarity Panel who will review "applied-for gTLD strings against other applied-for gTLD strings.  It is ridiculous for anyone to suggest that DCA Trust has applied for .dotAfrica as a geographic name without seeing the exact details of the underlying application which is yet to be evaluated by ICANN or considering the stipulations of the Guidebook regarding String Similarity Reviews and how String Contention Sets are arrived at.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043 Press Commentary: DCA Trust & UniForum SA have both applied for the same  'Africa' Geographic NameString]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11899992-dca-trust-and-uniforum-sa-have-both-applied-for-the-same-africa-geographic-name.html Press Commentary: DCA Trust & UniForum SA have both applied for the same  'Africa' Geographic NameString]</ref>, <ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120725_dotconnectafrica_clarifies_its_africa_bid_at_eaigfl DotConnectAfrica Clarifies its .africa bid at EAIGF]</ref>

# "..the understanding as presently clarified by this communication is that DCA Trust has applied for the same 'Africa' geographical name string as UniForum and this will be confirmed by the outcome of the Independent String Similarity Panel who will review "applied-for gTLD strings against other applied-for gTLD strings.  It is ridiculous for anyone to suggest that DCA Trust has applied for .dotAfrica as a geographic name without seeing the exact details of the underlying application which is yet to be evaluated by ICANN or considering the stipulations of the Guidebook regarding String Similarity Reviews and how String Contention Sets are arrived at.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043 Press Commentary: DCA Trust & UniForum SA have both applied for the same  'Africa' Geographic NameString]</ref><ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11899992-dca-trust-and-uniforum-sa-have-both-applied-for-the-same-africa-geographic-name.html Press Commentary: DCA Trust & UniForum SA have both applied for the same  'Africa' Geographic NameString]</ref>, <ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120725_dotconnectafrica_clarifies_its_africa_bid_at_eaigfl DotConnectAfrica Clarifies its .africa bid at EAIGF]</ref>

DCA Trust has made explicit commitment in its  [[.africa]] application to ICANN that the Trust will establish a full-service Internet registry which will be operated by DCA Registry Services Ltd. in accordance with the technical and operational criteria and other specifications stipulated by ICANN in the new gTLD Applicants' Guidebook.

DCA Trust has made explicit commitment in its  [[.africa]] application to ICANN that the Trust will establish a full-service Internet registry which will be operated by DCA Registry Services Ltd. in accordance with the technical and operational criteria and other specifications stipulated by ICANN in the new gTLD Applicants' Guidebook.

<big><i>Note:</i></big>  Application to ICANN for DCA "AFRICA" geo-string is indicated as ".dotafrica" during the ICANN reveal date, on the ICANN website, dated 15 June 2012. <ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276;jsessionid=2500230032894FB8CB3F16550E33DF0Farchive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043 ICANN New gTLDs - Application Details]</ref> To minimize public confusion the company issued immediate press release to clarify its position on the matter.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11899992-dca-trust-and-uniforum-sa-have-both-applied-for-the-same-africa-geographic-name.html DCA Trust and UniForum SA have both applied for the same ‘Africa’ Geographic Name]</ref> In October 2012, DotConnectAfrica Trust (DCA Trust) received a change to their string to ".africa" from ".dotafrica".The change was  officially approved by ICANN at the time when DCA was clarifying about the error in its application.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043.html DCA Trust & UniForum SA have both applied for the same 'Africa' Geographic Name]</ref> <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110566675283.html DotConnectAfrica Clarifies its .africa bid at EAIGF]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs123/1102516344150/archive/1111325860695.html Goodbye .DOTAFRICA - A significant landmark Victory in the battle for .Africa gTLD]</ref> During that time the competitive applicant for [[.africa]] was claiming that ICANN had confirmed that there is only one applicant for the .africa [[TLD]]).<ref>[http://africainonespace.org/news_item.php?id=45&title=ICANN%20AGREES%E2%80%A6THERE%20IS%20ONLY%20ONE%20APPLICANT%20FOR%20.AFRICA&utm_source=DCA+Trust+%26+UniForum+SA+have+both+applied+for+the+same+%27Africa%27+Geographic+Name+&utm_campaign=+DCA+Trust+%26+UniForum+SA+have+both+applied+for+the+same++%27Africa%27+Geographic+Name+String&utm_medium=archive ICANN agrees there is only one applicant for .africa]</ref>The ICANN update can be viewed at the New gTLD Current Application Status page.<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276 DotConnectAfrica Application Details: Application ID: 1-1165-42560]</ref>   

<big><i>Note:</i></big>  Application to ICANN for DCA "AFRICA" geo-string is indicated as ".africa" during the ICANN reveal date, on the ICANN website, dated 15 June 2012. <ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276;jsessionid=2500230032894FB8CB3F16550E33DF0Farchive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043 ICANN New gTLDs - Application Details]</ref> To minimize public confusion the company issued immediate press release to clarify its position on the matter.<ref>[http://www.prlog.org/11899992-dca-trust-and-uniforum-sa-have-both-applied-for-the-same-africa-geographic-name.html DCA Trust and UniForum SA have both applied for the same ‘Africa’ Geographic Name]</ref> In October 2012, DotConnectAfrica Trust (DCA Trust) received a change to their string to ".africa" from ".dotafrica".The change was  officially approved by ICANN at the time when DCA was clarifying about the error in its application.<ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110237447043.html DCA Trust & UniForum SA have both applied for the same 'Africa' Geographic Name]</ref> <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110566675283.html DotConnectAfrica Clarifies its .africa bid at EAIGF]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs123/1102516344150/archive/1111325860695.html Goodbye .DOTAFRICA - A significant landmark Victory in the battle for .Africa gTLD]</ref> During that time the competitive applicant for [[.africa]] was claiming that ICANN had confirmed that there is only one applicant for the .africa [[TLD]]).<ref>[http://africainonespace.org/news_item.php?id=45&title=ICANN%20AGREES%E2%80%A6THERE%20IS%20ONLY%20ONE%20APPLICANT%20FOR%20.AFRICA&utm_source=DCA+Trust+%26+UniForum+SA+have+both+applied+for+the+same+%27Africa%27+Geographic+Name+&utm_campaign=+DCA+Trust+%26+UniForum+SA+have+both+applied+for+the+same++%27Africa%27+Geographic+Name+String&utm_medium=archive ICANN agrees there is only one applicant for .africa]</ref>The ICANN update can be viewed at the New gTLD Current Application Status page.<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276 DotConnectAfrica Application Details: Application ID: 1-1165-42560]</ref>   

<big><i>Benefits to Africa:</i></big>

<big><i>Benefits to Africa:</i></big>

==Controversies over Wikipedia Sites==

==Controversies over Wikipedia Sites==

In October 2012, DCA published a press release saying that their Wikipedia sites willfully sabotaged. Entries on DCA, .africa, and Sophia Bekele, the Executive Director of DotAfrica, were changed. According to DCA, some information that had been unmodified for over five years were removed from Wikipedia and replaced by new versions where DCA's involvement with .africa, DCA's working history, and Bekele's credentials were downplayed.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2012/10/sabotage-of-our-wikipedia-sites/ Sabotage of Our Wikipedia Sites]. Published 2012 October 1. Retrieved 2012 November 13.</ref>

In October 2012, DCA published a press release saying that their Wikipedia sites willfully sabotaged. Entries on DCA, .africa, and Sophia Bekele, the Executive Director of DotAfrica, were changed. According to DCA, some information that had been unmodified for over five years were removed from Wikipedia and replaced by new versions where DCA's involvement with .africa, DCA's working history, and Bekele's credentials were downplayed.<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2012/10/sabotage-of-our-wikipedia-sites/ Sabotage of Our Wikipedia Sites]. Published 2012 October 1. Retrieved 2012 November 13.</ref>

==No Campaigns of DotConnectAfrica on .africa==

==No Campaign (DotAfrica) ‘NoCampaign.africa’==

No Campaign DotAfrica was a concentrated e-mail based protest effort that was undertaken by the Yes2DotAfrica campaign, an initiative of the DotConnectAfrica Organization (DCA) ostensibly to counter the perceived threat posed to DCA’s standing and prospective application to ICANN for the new DotAfrica generic Top Level Domain (gTLD).  The No Campaign featured high drama and ran from 2010 and peaked in the fall of 2011, when DCA circulated many No Campaigns to its readers.  <ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/vote-no-for-dandjinou/ Vote No to Pierre Danjinou]</ref><ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/vote-nii-quaynor/ Vote No to Nii Quaynor]</ref> <ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/vote-no-to-aftld/  Vote No to AFTLD]</ref><ref>[ http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105649721626.html Say "No" to African Union "EOI"]</ref><ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/african-registry-consortium/  Say "No" to African Registry Consortium (ARC)]</ref><ref>[ http://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Leopard-Cannot-Change-its-Spots--Say--No--to-the-ARC--African-Registry-Consortium.html?soid=1102516344150&aid=BYYeJN0_fLU Say "No" to African Registry Consortium (ARC)]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108683982073.html Vote No to Africa Union RFP]</ref>

No Campaign DotAfrica was a concentrated e-mail based protest effort that was undertaken by the Yes2DotAfrica campaign, an initiative of the DotConnectAfrica Organization (DCA) ostensibly to counter the perceived threat posed to DCA’s standing and prospective application to ICANN for the new DotAfrica generic Top Level Domain (gTLD).  The No Campaign featured high drama and ran from 2010 and peaked in the fall of 2011, when DCA circulated many No Campaigns to its readers.  <ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/vote-no-for-dandjinou/ Vote No to Pierre Danjinou]</ref><ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/vote-nii-quaynor/ Vote No to Nii Quaynor]</ref> <ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/vote-no-to-aftld/  Vote No to AFTLD]</ref><ref>[ http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105649721626.html Say "No" to African Union "EOI"]</ref><ref>[ http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/yes-campaign/vote-no/african-registry-consortium/  Say "No" to African Registry Consortium (ARC)]</ref><ref>[ http://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Leopard-Cannot-Change-its-Spots--Say--No--to-the-ARC--African-Registry-Consortium.html?soid=1102516344150&aid=BYYeJN0_fLU Say "No" to African Registry Consortium (ARC)]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1108683982073.html Vote No to Africa Union RFP]</ref>

<big><i>NO Campaign against Africa Top Level Domains Organization (AFTLD):</i></big>

<big><i>NO Campaign against Africa Top Level Domains Organization (AFTLD):</i></big>

AfTLD had initially sought the mandate from the African Union to run the .africa registry but changed later to seek a fresh endorsement even though DotConnectAfrica had already been endorsed.  ref <ref> [http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1105453989773.html DCA's Exclusive Commentary to the AfTLD Press Release following the Ghana Meeting]</ref> The rivalry between DCA and [[AfTLD]] to gain the endorsement of the African Union Commission to serve as the operator and sponsoring organization of the DotAfrica gTLD turned nasty. DCA has alleged that the AfTLD is corrupt and is using double dealing to unfairly get the endorsement from AUC, as members of AFTLD are also part of the AU DotAfrica Taskforce, who were in charge of making the selection. In response, AfTLD claimed that DCA is using intimidation tactics. When the African Union announced that a Task Force was created and delegated to choose the right organization to be endorsed by the AUC for the DotAfrica project, DCA reacted negatively and accused that the Task Force was "established in order to disingenuously facilitate insider help for AfTLD’s Expression of Interest to the AU and prospective bid to ICANN." In addition, DCA claimed that some of the members of the Task Force including [[Pierre Dandjinou]],[[Nii Quaynor]] and Mr. Kwok Vee Kong Kem Yen are "advisors and confederates of AfTLD," and strongly emphasized that their ties are "unwholesome and foster corruption, nepotism, abuse of office, and large-scale illegality." Furthermore, DCA launched a No campaign against Nii Quaynor.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/corruption-claims-as-africa-fight-heats-up/ “Corruption” claims as .africa fight heats up]</ref><ref>[http://www.pctechmagazine.com/Communique_on_DotAfrica_08Nov2010_v2.pdf “Dot .AFRICA gTLD PROJECT : BRANDING THE AFRICAN CONTINENT ON THE CYBERSPACE AND PROVIDING AFRICAN COMMUNITY WITH A CONTINENTAL MARK ON THE INTERNET”]</ref><ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2011/05/dca%E2%80%99s-exclusive-commentary-aftld-pr-ghana-meeting/ DCA’s Exclusive Commentary to the AfTLD PR following the Ghana Meeting]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104994724388.html Say "No" to Nii Quaynor, Vice Chair of African Union ".africa" Taskforce]</ref>

The rivalry between DCA and [[AfTLD]] to gain the endorsement of the African Union Commission to serve as the operator and sponsoring organization of the DotAfrica gTLD turned nasty. DCA has alleged that the AfTLD is corrupt and is using double dealing to unfairly get the endorsement from AUC, as members of AFTLD are also part of the AU DotAfrica Taskforce, who were in charge of making the selection. In response, AfTLD claimed that DCA is using intimidation tactics. When the African Union announced that a Task Force was created and delegated to choose the right organization to be endorsed by the AUC for the DotAfrica project, DCA reacted negatively and accused that the Task Force was "established in order to disingenuously facilitate insider help for AfTLD’s Expression of Interest to the AU and prospective bid to ICANN." In addition, DCA claimed that some of the members of the Task Force including [[Pierre Dandjinou]] and [[Nii Quaynor]] are "advisors and confederates of AfTLD," and strongly emphasized that their ties are "unwholesome and foster corruption, nepotism, abuse of office, and large-scale illegality." Furthermore, DCA launched a campaign against Nii Quaynor.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/corruption-claims-as-africa-fight-heats-up/ “Corruption” claims as .africa fight heats up]</ref><ref>[http://www.pctechmagazine.com/Communique_on_DotAfrica_08Nov2010_v2.pdf “Dot .AFRICA gTLD PROJECT : BRANDING THE AFRICAN CONTINENT ON THE CYBERSPACE AND PROVIDING AFRICAN COMMUNITY WITH A CONTINENTAL MARK ON THE INTERNET”]</ref><ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2011/05/dca%E2%80%99s-exclusive-commentary-aftld-pr-ghana-meeting/ DCA’s Exclusive Commentary to the AfTLD PR following the Ghana Meeting]</ref><ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1104994724388.html Say "No" to Nii Quaynor, Vice Chair of African Union ".africa" Taskforce]</ref>

<big><i>The Case of Three Strange Bed-fellows</i></big>

<big><i>GAC Early warning:</i></big>

In November 21, 2012 DotConnectAfrica’s application received 17 early warnings. More than 240 individual GAC Early Warnings were issued in relation to 200 new TLD applications which account for 162 unique strings. The warnings noted to be of similar verbatim were received from African countries namely, Comoros, Kenya, Cameroun, DRC, Benin, Egypt; Gabon, Bourkina Faso, Ghana, Morocco, Mali, Uganda, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria and Tanzania and the African Union.

 

In their December 12, 2012  response<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 GAC Early Warning Response]. Published 2012 Dec 5. Retrieved 2012 Dec 5.</ref> to the GAC early warnings, DotConnectAfrica noted that<i> “We believe that the governments were teleguided (or manipulated) into submitting these GAC Early Warning Advice, and as such, cannot really be considered as authentic in most cases. It is simply the outcome of a coordinated action which African country governments are being coerced to support, and we believe that actual governmental consultations with respective African country governments has not been done in many cases”</i>

Following the entrance of the AfTLD and the ARC, it was widely perceived that there would be three other prospective applicants for DotAfrica,  <ref>[http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/exploring-the-africa-domain/  Exploring the .Africa domain]</ref> namely dotafrica.org, AfTLD and ARC, in addition to DCA. Against the backdrop that none of these organizations had any endorsement for DotAfrica, DCA thought that these organizations were not in a position to apply for DotAfrica.  DCA dismissed them as ‘promiscuous strange bed-fellows’ that faced very difficult obstacles.  DCA saw dotafrica.org as moribund,  <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107431408048.html Say NO to DotAfrica CABAL]</ref>  ARC as running a stale campaign that was likened to a fool’s errand,  <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1106696043739.html Say no to ARC]</ref> and AfTLD as having questionable legal ownership  <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107431408048.html Say NO to DotAfrica CABAL]</ref> which exposed it to possible disqualification if subjected to proper due diligence since the African ccTLDs it claimed to represent were not its actual owners. This particular No Campaign by DCA that brought all three organizations together and associated them as strange bed-fellows engaged in promiscuous (illegal) behavior proved to be very effective. <ref>[ http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1107431408048.html Say NO to DotAfrica CABAL]</ref>   

<big><i>Beijing GAC objection:</i></big>

The ICANN meeting in Beijing China set the ground for some of the new gTLD procedures to continue, GAC Advice was part of the communiqué that saw several strings receive varying responses to their applications. The results of the GAC advice though attracted wide criticism from the internet fraternity as to how some of the decisions we reached at.

<big><i>NO Campaign against AU Expression of Interest (EOI) for .africa:</i></big>

DotConnectAfrica application received a GAC Objection advice which they submited a response<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/gac-advice GAC Advice Response]. Published 2013 May 22. Retrieved 2013 May 22.</ref> . New gTLD Program Committee and subsequently gave recommendation that the GAC advice be followed. However the NGPC also gave the organization a channel through which they would appeal by seeking relief according to ICANN’s accountability mechanisms (see ICANN Bylaws, Articles IV and V) subject to the appropriate standing and procedural requirements.

DCA criticized AUC's plan to implement the EOI submission competition process for application endorsement. DCA claimed that the AUC’s objective for accountability and transparency was "hollow and unbelievable," as the letter they issues references the previous endorsement issued to DCA, however fails to acknowledge the previous endorsement issued by Chairman Ping.  Furthermore, DCA pointed out that the EOI process would be biased, as the [[AU Task Force]] had already expressed its support for [[AfTLD]] during the 2011 annual African [[ccTLD]] event in Ghana.  DCA encouraged all organizations to disregard the AU EOI process and asked AUC to cease the request.<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>

After the objection, DotConnectAfrica refused to back down and contacted the African Union as well as ICANN.<ref>[http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/living-and-the-arts/art/item/880-a-delayed-evaluation-pass-score-for-africa-competition A delayed evaluation "pass" score for .Africa competition].</ref> <ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/icann-related-2/icann-outreach-and-participation/letters-to-icann/#sthash.bCRzIBQX.dpuf Request for Immediate Reconsideration and Our Response to NGPC Resolution].</ref>. DCA also requested for a Reconsideration which ICANN denied prompting that organization to begin the Independent Review Process<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/irp/dca-v-icann Independent Review Process].</ref><ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201401221336.html DCA Trust Takes '.africa' Case With Icann to Independent Review Process Panel].</ref><ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/dca-trust-takes-%E2%80%9C.africa%E2%80%9D-case-with-icann-to-independent-review-process-irp-panel DCA Trust takes “.africa” case with ICANN to Independent Review Process (IRP) Panel].</ref>

<big><i>DCA Opposes Reserve Names by AU:</i></big>

During ICANN new gTLDs initial evaluation of applications, DotConnectAfrica’s application passed all the evaluation criteria including Financial, Technical and Operational Capability Evaluation Panels. Its application was stopped  due to the governmental objections effected at the ICANN Beijing meeting.  DCA also requested for a Reconsideration which ICANN denied prompting that organization to begin the Independent Review Process.  In January 2014, DotConnectAfrica Trust filed for an independent review of its application.<ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/dca-trust-takes-%E2%80%9C.africa%E2%80%9D-case-with-icann-to-independent-review-process-irp-panel DCA Trust takes “.africa” case with ICANN to Independent Review Process (IRP) Panel]</ref><ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201401221336.html DCA Trust Takes '.africa' Case With Icann to Independent Review Process Panel]</ref><ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/dca-v-icann-2013-12-11-en DCA Trust V ICANN]</ref>

The reservation of these names would have meant that all the applications of the .africa gTLD would have been annulled , however in a response ICANN officials promised to follow the Applicants Guide Book to the later in making all the decisions that would affect any new prospective gTLD. ICANN responded<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/crocker-to-ibrahim-08mar12-en Letter from Steve Crocker to Elham M.A. Ibrahim]</ref> to the Communique presented by the officials of the Pre-Senegal Ministerial roundtable, and eventually the names were not reserved .

'''IRP Injunction awarded DCA:''' DotConnectAfrica Trust (DCA) has won Round one in its case against ICANN for the ".africa" domain.  The win stems from the fact that DCA received an Injunction it requested in its IRP Proceedings in an arbitration process, and the Injunction ruled that "ICANN must  immediately refrain from any further processing of any application for .africa until this Panel has heard the merits of DCA’s Trust Notice of Independent Review Process and issued its final decision regarding the same".  ICANN had in March 24 2014 proceeded to sign a contract with ZACR who are competitors for the ".africa" string, sparking an outrage that ICANN was continually mistreating DCA Trust.<ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/top-stories/dca-trust-wins-first-round-against-icann-in-injunction-on-dotafrica-domain DCA Trust wins first round against ICANN in injunction on DotAfrica domain]</ref><ref>[http://www.humanipo.com/news/43884/dotafrica-launch-further-delayed-by-dotconnectafrica-injunction/ dotAfrica launch further delayed by DotConnectAfrica injunction]</ref> <ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/dca_receives_an_injunction_it_requested_in_its_irp_proceedings/ DCA Receives an Injunction It Requested in Its IRP Proceedings]</ref><ref>[http://domainnewsafrica.com/breaking-dotconnectafrica-wins-dotafrica-injunction-against-icann-in-first-new-gtld-irp-case/ Breaking: DotConnectAfrica wins .africa injunction against ICANN in first new gTLD IRP case]</ref><ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201405131325.html DCA Trust Wins First Round Against Icann in Injunction On Dotafrica Domain]</ref><ref>[http://tandaabiashara.com/tribunal-freezes-icann-processing-on-africa-independent-review-panel-rules-in-favor-of-dotconnectafrica/ Tribunal freezes ICANN processing on .africa: Independent Review Panel Rules in favor of DotConnectAfrica]</ref>

Africa presented 17 applications and dotafrica was among them.

'''Panel accepts DCA’s position on procedural framework on DotAfrica IRP:''' The IRP panel on 14 August 2014, issued a Thirty Three (33) Pages ruling<ref>[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/DECLARATION-ON-THE-IRP-PROCEDURE-DCA-Trust-vs-ICANN-14-AUGUST-2014.pdf IRP Panel’s Declaration of the IRP Procedure]</ref> to accept DotConnectAfrica’s position on the procedural framework of the IRP proceedings. The Panel has ruled terming its Declaration and the future Declaration on the Merits of the case are binding on ICANN. (ICANN wanted this to be “advisory” and not “binding”. DCA is represented by an international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP based in New York while ICANN is represented by a Los Angeles-based Law Firm Jones Day LLC, which has been working with ICANN nearly since its inception.<ref>[http://www.cio.co.ke/news/top-stories/panel-accepts-dca%E2%80%99s-position-on-procedural-framework-on-dotafrica-irp Panel accepts DCA’s position on procedural framework on DotAfrica IRP]</ref> <ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201409110194.html Africa: Panel Accepts DCA's Position On Procedural Framework On Dotafrica IRP]</ref> <ref>[http://www.thedomains.com/2014/08/16/irp-panels-declaration-of-the-irp-procedure-in-the-case-of-dotconnect-africa-trust-vs-icann/

IRP Panel’s Declaration of the IRP Procedure in the case of DotConnect Africa Trust vs ICANN]</ref> <ref>[http://domainingafrica.com/panel-interprets-declarations-as-binding-on-the-africa-irp-lectures-icann-on-core-accountability-implications/IRP Panel’s Declaration of the IRP Procedure Panel interprets Declarations as binding on the .Africa IRP, Lectures ICANN on core accountability implications]</ref><ref>[http://www.newsgtlds.com/2014/08/dotconnectafrica-update-irp-panel-rules.html DotConnectAfrica Update: IRP Panel Rules to Accept DCA's Position On Procedural Framework]</ref>

==DCA Objection to UNIFORUM ZACR Application to ICANN==

'''DCA Trust Prevails in IRP Panel’s Final Declaration:'''

In its official public comment to ICANN, DotConnectAfrica opposed the Uniforum application by stating to ICANN that there are many infractions and other illegitimate actions that they have committed contrary to the new gTLD program of ICANN. Therefore,

On July 9 2015 The IRP panel made its final ruling which declared DotConnectAfrica as the prevailing party of the DCA Trust Vs ICANN IRP.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/final-declaration-09jul15-en.pdf IRP Panel’s Final Declaration]</ref>

it is anticipated that these comments will be made available to the ICANN Evaluation Panels performing the Initial Evaluation Reviews, and would be noted, verified and analyzed with a view to disqualifying or failing the UniForum application for .AFRICA gTLD string name.  DCA further stated that the pieces of evidence that they have presented is based on their assessment of the published parts of UniForum's application which they have cited in this document, coupled with other pubic communication and documents such as official Communiqué released by the African Union Commission or the AU RFP document that was publicly circulated. <ref>[http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1111021912009.html  Say no to  African Registry Consortium (ARC)]</ref>.

<i>DCA's list of objections includes topics on four major areas</i> (1) Background Screening /Legal which include manifest inconsistencies in Uniforum's Mission & Purpose; <ref>[ https://gtldcomment.icann.org/comments-feedback/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6706?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive  Manifest inconsistencies-Mission&Purpose]</ref> and that Oversight Role is given to Illegitimate Entity<ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/comments-feedback/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6703?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive Oversight Role to illegitimate Entity]</ref>;and has a crooked Legal & Executive Responsibility <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6702?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive Crooked Legal & Executive Responsibility]</ref> . (2) Geographic Name Evaluation Panel/ Endorsement which stated the issues of UNIFORUM's Endorsement <ref>[ https://gtldcomment.icann.org/comments-feedback/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6704?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive The issue of UNIFORUM Endorsement]</ref> ; that fact that AU Discouraged Competition for.Africa <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/comments-feedback/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6709?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive AU Discouraged Competition for.Africa]</ref>  ;and that Uniforum's application is Not an African Community Application <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6701?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive Not an African Community application]</ref>The section (3) refers to Legal Rights which asserted  that the AU Cannot Re-designate Registry Function <ref>[ https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6701?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive Not an African Community application]</ref>; AU DotAfrica Taskforce Violated Ethics <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6688?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive AU Cannot Re-designate Registry Function]</ref>;

Illegal Contract between AU and UNIFORUM  <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6688?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive AU Cannot Re-designate Registry Function]</ref Illegal Contract between AU and UniForum]</ref>; and the  AU Cannot appoint Registry Operator <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6688?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive AU Cannot Re-designate Registry Function]</ref Illegal Contract between AU and UniForum]</ref>;The area  on (4) deals with Financial Capability which reported Uniforum Understated Registry COI Amount <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6763?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive Understated Registry COI Amount]</ref>  ;  and the  COI Not Enough for Critical Registry Function  <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6764?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive COI Not Enough for Critical Registry Funds]</ref> ;and that changing the Unit Selling Price of Domain Names is against rules of fair competition :<ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6652?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive On Unit Selling Price of Domain Names]</ref>and that there is Possible Conflict in Business Model Names  <ref>[https://gtldcomment.icann.org/applicationcomment/commentdetails/6653?utm_source=Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_campaign=+DCA+Official+Public+Commentary+to+UNIFORUM%27s+Application+to+ICANN&utm_medium=archive Possible Conflict in the Business Model]</ref>

The panel made the following concluding declarations:  

In November 21, 2012 DotConnectAfrica’s application received 17 early warnings. More than 240 individual GAC Early Warnings were issued in relation to 200 new TLD applications which account for 162 unique strings. The warnings noted to be of similar verbatim were received from African countries namely, Comoros, Kenya, Cameroon, DRC, Benin, Egypt; Gabon, Bourkina Faso, Ghana, Morocco, Mali, Uganda, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria and Tanzania and the African Union.<ref>[http://www.gtldstrategy.com/policy-updates/gac-early-warnings-issued GAC Early Warnings Issued]. Published 2012 April 21. Retrieved 2013 June 20.</ref>

In their December 12, 2012  response<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 GAC Early Warning Response]. Published 2012 Dec 5. Retrieved 2012 Dec 5.</ref> to the GAC early warnings, DotConnectAfrica noted that<i> “We believe that the governments were teleguided (or manipulated) into submitting these GAC Early Warning Advice, and as such, cannot really be considered as authentic in most cases. It is simply the outcome of a coordinated action which African country governments are being coerced to support, and we believe that actual governmental consultations with respective African country governments has not been done in many cases”</i>

148 Based on the foregoing, after having carefully reviewed the Parties’ written submissions, listened to the testimony of the three witness, listened to the oral submissions of the Parties in various telephone conference calls and at the in-person hearing of this IRP in Washington, D.C. on 22 and 23 May 2015, and finally after much deliberation, pursuant to Article IV, Section 3, paragraph 11 (c) of ICANN’s Bylaws, the Panel declares that both the actions and inactions of the Board with respect to the application of DCA Trust relating to the .AFRICA gTLD were inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of ICANN.

149 Furthermore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 3, paragraph 11 (d) of ICANN’s Bylaws, the Panel recommends that ICANN continue to refrain from delegating the .AFRICA gTLD and permit DCA Trust’s application to proceed through the remainder of the new gTLD application process.

The ICANN meeting in Beijing China set the ground for some of the new gTLD procedures to continue, GAC Advice was part of the communiqué<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/gac-to-board-11apr13-en GAC Communiqué – Beijing, People's Republic of China]. Published 2013 April 11. Retrieved 2013 June 20.</ref>that saw several strings receive varying responses to their applications. The results of the GAC advice though attracted wide criticism from the internet community as to how some of the decisions we reached at.<ref>[http://www.internetgovernance.org/2013/04/11/who-needs-the-itu-when-you-have-a-gac/ Who needs the ITU when you have a GAC?]. Published 2013 April 11. Retrieved 2013 June 20.</ref> <ref>[http://www.ip-watch.org/2013/04/12/debate-in-beijing-icann-as-online-content-regulator/ Debate In Beijing: ICANN As Online Content Regulator?]. Published 2013 April 12. Retrieved 2013 June 20.</ref>

DotConnectAfrica application received a GAC Objection advice which they submitted a response<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/gac-advice GAC Advice Response]. Published 2013 May 22. Retrieved 2013 May 22.</ref> . The New gTLD Program Committee (consisting of ICANN Board) subsequently gave recommendation that the GAC advice be followed for DCA's .africa application. However the NGPC also gave the organization a channel through which they would appeal by seeking relief according to ICANN’s accountability mechanisms (see ICANN Bylaws, Articles IV and V) subject to the appropriate standing and procedural requirements. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/prelim-report-new-gtld-04jun13-en.htm Preliminary Report | Meeting of the New gTLD Program Committee]. Published 2013 April 12. Retrieved 2013 June 20.</ref>

150 The Panel declares DCA Trust to be the prevailing party in this IRP and further declares that ICANN is to bear, pursuant to Article IV, Section 3, paragraph 18 of the Bylaws, Article 11 of Supplementary Procedures and Article 31 of the ICDR Rules, the totality of the costs of this IRP and the totality of the costs of the IRP Provider. <ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/07/15/icann_dot_africa_review/ Unredacted: ICANN's hidden role in fierce battle over .Africa rights]</ref><ref>[http://www.domainmondo.com/2015/07/dca-trust-irp-decision-icann-failed.html DCA Trust IRP Decision: ICANN Failed the Global Internet Community]</ref><ref>[http://ethioinfodesk.com/ethiopian-born-entrepreneur-sophia-bekele-wins-africa-domain-name-accountability-suit-against-icann/]</ref>  <ref>[http://www.ipjustice.org/digital-rights/icann-loses-independent-review-panel-decision-for-unfairly-treating-tld-applicants-improper-deference-to-governments/ ICANN Loses Independent Review Panel Decision For Unfairly Treating TLD Applicant & Improper Deference to Governments]</ref><ref>[http://domainnewsafrica.com/icann-loses-dotafrica-case-irp-panel-rules-favor-dca/ ICANN loses .Africa case: IRP panel rules in favor of DCA]</ref><ref>[http://cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/dca-trust-wins-.africa-irp,-icann-to-pay-over-kshs-60-million-in-costs DCA Trust wins .africa IRP, ICANN to pay over Kshs 60 million in costs]</ref><ref>[http://tandaabiashara.com/breaking-dotconnectafrica-trust-victorious-on-its-challenge-of-icann-board-over-dotafrica/ Breaking: DotConnectAfrica Trust victorious on its challenge of ICANN Board over .africa]</ref><ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201507141174.html East Africa: DCA Trust Wins .Africa IRP, ICANN to Pay Over Kshs 60 Million in Costs]</ref><ref>[http://www.bna.com/review-panel-chides-n17179933491/ Review Panel Chides ICANN Board, Government Reps]</ref>

==Letter to U.S. Congress==

==Letter to U.S. Congress==

Following communication sent to [[ICANN]] and the African Union<Ref name="DCA Letter to Africa Union">[http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/bekele-to-shinkaiye-12jul12-en DCA Letter: Opposition to the Application by UniForum ZA Central Registry for the .AFRICA gTLD] Published & Retrieved 12 July 2012</ref>, DCA appealed to members of the U.S. Congress in February, 2013. DCA wrote and reiterated their issues with the manner in which UniForum received and carried out the AU's endorsement. DCA notes that it does not feel there are sufficient mechanisms for appeal or dealing with illegalities over the new gTLD program and requested the U.S. Congress to intervene immediately to create an independent  New gTLD Ombudsman for the entire ICANN New gTLD program, where such grievances will be heard and addressed<Ref name="DCA Letter to Congress">[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Letter-to-US-Senate-on-UniForum-escalation-21st-February-2013-from-DotConnectAfrica.pdf DCA Letter to US Congress about Africa,DotConnectAfrica.org] Published & Retrieved 22 Feb 2013</ref>

Following communication sent to [[ICANN]] and the African Union<Ref name="DCA Letter to Africa Union">[http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/bekele-to-shinkaiye-12jul12-en DCA Letter: Opposition to the Application by UniForum ZA Central Registry for the .AFRICA gTLD] Published & Retrieved 12 July 2012</ref>, DCA appealed to members of the U.S. Congress in February, 2013. DCA wrote and reiterated their issues with the manner in which UniForum received and carried out the AU's endorsement. DCA notes that it does not feel there are sufficient mechanisms for appeal or dealing with illegalities over the new gTLD program and requested the U.S. Congress to intervene immediately to create an independent  New gTLD Ombudsman for the entire ICANN New gTLD program, where such grievances will be heard and addressed<Ref name="DCA Letter to Congress">[http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Letter-to-US-Senate-on-UniForum-escalation-21st-February-2013-from-DotConnectAfrica.pdf DCA Letter to US Congress about Africa,DotConnectAfrica.org] Published & Retrieved 22 Feb 2013</ref>

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Organizations]]

[[Category:Organizations]]