An At-Large community call with the candidates will be held on Saturday, 13 November at 1300 UTC. You can find the draft agenda and participation instructions under:

https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/Community+Call+on+At-Large+Board+Director+Candidates+11.10+-+Teleconference

On 28 October 2010, the At-Large Board Candidate Evaluation Committee (BCEC) announced the slate of three candidates for the position of At-Large selected voting Board Director. The three candidates, in alphabetical order by family name, are:

  • Sébastien Bachollet

  • Pierre Dandjinou

  • Alan Greenberg

This Candidate-Community Forum page is a space intended to facilitate information exchange between the candidates for the position of At-Large selected Board Director and the At-Large community.

Statements and Additional Information from the Candidates

Questions to the Candidates from the RALOs and Answers from the Candidates

AFRALO  

APRALO

EURALO

LACRALO

NARALO

Questions from Individuals

Comments

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23 Comments

  1. Heidi Ullrich

    Dear Esteemed Members of BCEC,

    DCA is forwarding the attached document, a comment from DotConnectAfrica for the current ICANN Board Seat 15.

    It is to be noted that the additional reference and corresponding material, is posted on our website at www.dotconnectafrica.org,  under re: ICANN BOARD Seat 15.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    DotConnectAfrica

    DCA letter to BCEC - Nov 13 2010(3).pdf

    1. Cheryl Langdon-Orr

      Thank you for uploading this material on behalf of DCA, forwarded to us yesterday Heidi...

    2. Anonymous

      I believe they are all excellent candidates, and I would have a difficult time choosing between them.

      DCAs scurrilous attack on one Candidate (who has already answered that he

      would recuse himself from any Board action on .africa) is unwarranted and merits

      rebuke from the ALAC community. For the record, Pierre Dandjinou is no longer on the AfriNIC Board,

      as can be seen on http://www.afrinic.net/bod/.  

      This seems to be another case of DCA playing fast and loose with the truth, which will (hopefully)

      cost them dearly when they apply for .africa

      1. Anonymous

        (who has already answered that he would recuse himself from any Board action on .africa) is unwarranted and merits rebuke from the ALAC community. For the record, Pierre Dandjinou is no longer on the AfriNIC Board.

        That answer to that question  was prepared.  The issue is not to recuse oneself, which may be acceptable. The issue is that a candidate did not disclose his COI on his SOI.   The candidate may have also disassociated himself from the board of AfriNic in AfriNic in anticipation of this service on ICANN or maybe not, but AfriNic is not the organization in question. 

        He is a continuous contributor and promoter to the dotafrica.org supposedly a competing applicant and in the last weeks names as the Chair of a task-force in another gTLD applicant associating with i.e augooglegroup.com. DCA's 8 points establishes this clearly and solidly and factually,  There is nothing fast and untrue about that.. 

        There is no personal aspersion made to his character, you need to separate the apples from the oranges. This is not personal. We all have to see things with critical eye and note vote for people because they are your friends.  It is a lesson learned.

        Are you telling me the candidate can advise objectively to these initiative that have competing gtlds? And you are suggesting  that the AtLarge community, as you said should see all these facts as "unwarranted"?    
        Nowa that

        1. Anonymous

          Sophia,

          I suspect all the answers to all the questions were prepared.  That is the point of the wiki.

          I agree that afrinic is not the organisation in question.  However, in your 8 point statement,

          you mention it 21 times, thus leading people to believe the opposite.

          While the Candidate may be a supporter of the dotafrica.org bid, that does not mean he

          has a financial interest in the outcome.  That would be a COI.  I suspect all Board Members

          and Candidates support some gTLD ideas and not others.

          I believe all of the Candidates would recuse themselves from any vote in which they

          have a potential COI, so yes, I would say that ALAC can disregard these "facts" as

          "unwarranted".

          1. Anonymous

            Again, hard to separate the orange from the apple.  We are not "leading to believe" anyone, it is a fact that the officers and board directors and management of Afrinic are involved in promoting and orchestrating and advising to a dotafrica bid since 2007 up to now to various dotafrica initiatives.  That is why they contemplated in starting a new organization. The AfriNic issue was confusing the community.   I hope you follow the footprint of the document u referred. It is all there.

            Additionally, you are the one that said "he may not have financial interest",  the Candidate did not say that.  The issue we have is "disclosure".  Why the candidate did not disclose it in his SOI saying exactly what you said.   Also agree board members may have their own positions on one gTLD or another,  Recusing themselves is not the issue here , "disclosure" of such on their SOI is.

            I hope this helps.

    3. Anonymous

      There is something wrong here.  The Pierre on dotAfrica.org is not the same as the one that is standing election here.  There is Pierre Ouedraogo.  This one is Pierre Dandjinou. Which other organisation is in the running for dotAfrica?  I  have been an actor in the Internet Arena in Africa for 12 years now.  From the Bamako meeting, through the WSIS.

      I know the issue of dotAfrica has been raised officially within the Africa Union.  That is the organisation that has been discussing this.  As a continental organisation, it may have consulted many others, including Pierre Dandjinou, as I have also been consulted.  Does Pierre Dandjinou work for the Africa Union Commission?

      In 3 different instances, I have heard a lady 'an Ethiopian', speak about dotAfrica in Africa and at each time, people have clearly informed her.  Is it the same lady laying the complain?  If yes, then please note that you are dealing with a smear campaign.

      1. Anonymous

        You have just confirmed that you were merely acting for the 12 years you have been around internet and never grasp the issues.   The Candidate in question is affiliated with all the organizations you mentioned on dotafrica project. His name is all over on each of them  No need to introduce another Pierre to confuse the issue.  You are the one confused for 12 years and so please get your facts properly before you mention people's names.  That is a reverse smear campaign on its own..

  2. Sebastien Bachollet

    Hello all,

    Staff will publish, I am sure, in a few moments my answers to your questions.

    But I you want to see them now or have some direct exchange with me do not hesitate to go to my blog.

    http://sebastien.bachollet.fr

    Thanks

  3. Anonymous

    Thank you for uploading , DCA

  4. Anonymous

    TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    In the wake of current developments and without prejudice, i present my
    testimony of Mr. Peirre Dandjinou - an "unusual" leader of our time. i
    first encountered Peirre Dandjinou at an AfNOG/AfriNIC meeting in the turn
    of the 21st century and he made time to engage on ideas to grow the
    Internet in Africa, we have since being engaged at the level of ideas and
    doing things for Africa.

    Mr. Dandjinou cuts across on language lines, very fluent in english and
    french, am sure in other languages that am not aware of. His disposition
    is soo African, it took me a while to realise he is of Beninou extraction.
    Worked in the UN System as a diplomat and at the same time engaged with
    the African private sector, he has a unique ability to balance the
    interest of governments, civil society, academia and private sector - an
    unusual leadership skill. Interestingly, he has such a quite and inclusive
    nature that he can do all the ground work for a meeting and during the
    event, he wont say a word and at the end, he would say, WE had a great
    meeting, now lets get to action. He is one of those leaders, who leader
    from behind by building community. Even when you disagree with him, he
    would find something that you both agree on and say, lets focus on that.

    He is the "unseen" leader in the building of the Af* institutions namely
    AfNOG, AfriNIC, AfrISPA, AfriCANN, AfTLD, AfRALO, AfFREN and now AfCERT. I
    must put on record that when we were establishing AfrISPA, he was one of
    the quiet advisors who would tell you what to do and when to say what and
    what not to do or say. When there is geat controversy and someone is
    discounted, Peirre would echo "atleast lets hear his or her side of the
    story" and conclude "whether we like it or not, he or she is part of the
    African story". Am sure if a court of competent jurisdiction sentenced
    someone to death without giving them a hearing, Peirre would still echo
    "lets hear his or her side of the story" - it takes great patience and an
    unusual substance for humanity to have that nature.

    The ICANN Community of which am a peripheral participant stands to benefit
    greatly from such an "unusual" leader and i submit that any institution
    that takes Peirre Dandjinou unto it's board would be greatly enhanced by
    an "unusual leader".

    To conclude, let me sound a caution; we as Africans "sacrificed" our
    leaders (Nkrumah, Nyerere, Uhuru etc) of the post colonial era and thats
    why we are where we are, please lets not make that mistake again in the
    21st century when history beckons with new leaders in the likes of Peirre
    Dandjonou and co.

    On a lighter note, i like to call him PDD, if you know what i mean.....:-)

    Eric here

    Eric M.K Osiakwan
    Director
    Internet Research
    www.internetresearch.com.gh
    emko@internetresearch.com.gh
    42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North
    Tel: +233.30.2258800 ext 7031
    Fax: +233.30.2258811
    Cell: +233.24.4386792

    1. Anonymous

      While it is well and good you are establishing his contribution to all of these initiatives "AfNOG, AfriNIC, AfrISPA, AfriCANN, AfTLD, AfRALO, AfFREN and now AfCERT",

      These also points to a a man who thinks he must be in the midst of everything in Africa and also wants to take centre stage on DotAfrica which does not belong to him.
       
      Next question I ask you is what are the tangible results of all these efforts from the establishments of all these things "AfNOG, AfriNIC, AfrISPA, AfriCANN, AfTLD, AfRALO, AfFREN and now AfCERT". IIt is simply "Chaff and Fluff".  Now he wants DotAfrica, and the AU Task Force and now the ICANN Board Seat in addition to everything "Afri".  

      Is this not selfish of him? Which man can do all these things - for his own glory to be praised of other men or is he doing to the Glory of God? Is Pierre Dandjinou the only African in the ICT/Internet Universe?  Why don't you stop fooling yourselves?

      Best

      1. Anonymous

        There is wisdom in the saying "If you really want something done, ask a busy man to do it"

      2. Anonymous

        My answers to the above post inline below:

        These also points to a a man who thinks he must be in the midst of everything in Africa and also wants to take centre stage on DotAfrica which does not belong to him.

        You have not established that Pierre wants .Africa, and of course it doesn't belong to him, it should

        belong to the entire African community, as he would be the first to explain.  If more Africans were

        as active and concerned as Pierre, we would be in a better place than we are now.

         
        Next question I ask you is what are the tangible results of all these efforts from the establishments of all these things "AfNOG, AfriNIC, AfrISPA, AfriCANN, AfTLD, AfRALO, AfFREN and now AfCERT". IIt is simply "Chaff and Fluff".  Now he wants DotAfrica, and the AU Task Force and now the ICANN Board Seat in addition to everything "Afri".  

        Chaff and Fluff?? Is ARIN and RIPE Chaff and Fluff too? How about NANOG and APRICOT? Chaff and Fluff?

        NARALO and EURALO also Chaff and Fluff? How about DANTE and GEANT and Abilene? also Chaff and Fluff?

        CORE? CENTR? APTLD? US-CERT also Chaff and Fluff?? 

        Is this not selfish of him? Which man can do all these things - for his own glory to be praised of other men or is he doing to the Glory of God? Is Pierre Dandjinou the only African in the ICT/Internet Universe?  Why don't you stop fooling yourselves?

        I would say it is selfless.  The Internet works because people like Pierre are willing to give their time to its development.

        There is no need to bring God into this.  Pierre has brought many hundreds of Africans into this Internet Governance system through his volunteer work with these organisations.

        If anyone is fooling themselves it is DCA.  They are fooling themselves if they think that such a mean-spirited attack will help them in their bid to get .africa.  It will not.

        1. Anonymous

          It is evident here that the issue is NOT Mr Dandjinou.  The issues is rather with DCA.  So the DCA girl thinks that if she is not the one heading something then it is "Chaff and fluff" Big Pity.

  5. Anonymous

    1. We have received reports that a complain letter was laid on the personality of Mr Pierre Dandjinou who is standing nomination for ICANN board.
    2. Without full knowledge on the motivation for such, we would like to testify about what we know of the personality of Mr Dandjinou.
    3. The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) has worked with Mr Dandjinou from his years as a UNDP Diplomat.  He has proved to be an intellectual stalwart, a visionary in issues of ICT4D and a true leader of African development.
    4. We can attest to his openness, his rigour in due process and his focus in accomplishing given tasks.
    5. Within the ICT Community in Africa, Pierre Dandjinou can be well tagged  one of the fathers in Africa. He is one of the foremost pioneers of many of the Afri- organisations.
    6. Pierre,  as a member of the board of Panos West Africa, has been fundamental within the West Africa Internet Governance Forum where FOSSFA is the lead institution in the Consortium .
    7. In the case of the .Africa Initiative, FOSSFA can attest that our initial information was from the Africa Union Commission.  Our Understanding is that Pierre Dandjinou was solicited by the AU. This information has been verified.
    8. In the last meeting of the Task Force, where Pierre was given the mandate by the AU to lead the task force, all documents, work outcomes and relevant information has been distributed in an open, collaborative manner, that is traditional to the African ICT networks.

    On behalf of the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa, and the West Africa Internet Governance Forum, we attest to the following:

    1. That Pierre Dandjinou is a known and respected ICT expert in Africa.
    2. That Pierre Dandjinou has a track record of openness, transparency, and  rigorous due process
    3. That Pierre is a dedicated actor of the Internet development in Africa.
    4. That in the matter of the .Africa we recognise Pierre as the head of the Africa Union Task Force.

    This recommendation does not in any way attempt to sway the decision that ICANN may take about who sits on its board. Its sole intention is to attest to the personality, the expertise and the role of Mr Pierre Dandjinou in the development of ICT in Africa and above all, to the development of the continent itself.

    1. Anonymous

      Please note such on the report to the ALAC Chair and to the members of the BCEC  and ICANN At Large Director accurately describe the intent of DotconnectAfrica
      The Candidate Pierre Dandijou failed to disclose in his Statement of Interest a rather significant conflict of interest -- namely, his ongoing interest in a rival dotAfrica new gTLD proposal.  A review of Mr. Dandjinou's paperwork does indicate that he put forward no disclosures with regard to specific involvement in new gTLD initiatives. 

      DotAfricaConnect maintains that Mr. Dandjinou has been credited with giving his consent and contributions as well as leadership to the dotafrica effort, and is now serving as the chairman of the audotafrica taskforce.

      "Without casting aspersions against his personal character or professional competence the clear conflict that could arise during this critical submission with respect to the Africa gTLD means that he should not be considered as a candidate.".

      1. Anonymous

        Dear Sophia,

        I imagine you wouldn't be claiming this alleged "Conflict of Interest" if the candidate

        supported DotconnectAfrica.  Would he not have a similar "alleged" conflict of interest

        in that case as well?  Wouldn't you support him for an ICANN Board seat if he had voiced

        support for DotconnectAfrica?  Of course you would, and that would be hypocritical.

        1. Anonymous

          The DCA needs to clarify.  On www.dotconnectafrica.org, it is stated that their dotAfrica initiative has been endorsed by the African Union.  Is it not the same AU that has added Mr Danjinou as a member of its Task Force on dotAfrica.  If the Africa Union is the "other candidate" being referred to by DCA, then the question is how could it have endorsed DCA.

          Either this is a personal issue Sophia wants to settle or DCA did NOT get AU endorsement as it claims on its site.

          1. Anonymous

            These two posts below on AfriICANN if you did not see it yet, should give you a clue on how things were managed. 

            At a personal level, I will say welcome abroad to the Commission, AU Commission, that is!!

            --------------------------------------

            On 18 November 2010 17:56, Lerato Mamboleo <lerato.ma@yahoo.com> wrote:

            Dear All-

            I would like to make few points for the record:

            1 - I believe this letter that is circulating has been addressed by DCA to AU immediately after DCA has received it and copied to the relevant authorities. Additionally our response to AU is communicated publicly on DCA website. www.dotconnectafrica.org.  DCA is not obliged to post all internal communications on our site that which we manage with our various endorsers, as this is work in progress.

            2- To response to earlier comment by Dr Yassin, on the AUC Deputy, there seems to be a great confusion with our Continental organization on how .africa should be handled. Just to give benefit of doubt and not speak on behalf - a Deputy who may have been told on how the process should be.

            3- The decision still remains in ICANN's hand and not African Union. AUC or AU  is not going to bypass international rules to be the arbitrator for the process. ICANN has published this process in the guidebook, which apply across the world. We cannot expect special treatment for Africa and DCA as a major player in this application process, will insist to stick to the rules.

            4- DCA is in continuous communication with the African Union and positively engaged with the Chairman’s office, where DCA received its endorsement to provide clarity to this confusion; unfortunately DCA has also been busy on the ground delivering, since AU even during a recent meeting has assured us that none of the letters they have issued should stop us from continuing our work (meeting minutes can be provided). 

            5-The posting by DCA for the ICANN Board seat 15 was done at the appropriate forum, which is the currently ongoing, so everyone has a right to air their opinion on that forum.  DCA did not circulate the posting inappropriately, unlike those who have taken the privilege of circulating unauthenticated letters that has not even been addressed to them.

            I think respect starts with using appropriate channel of communication and doing the right thing.

            Thank you for listening,
            Lerato

            ---- Forwarded Message ---
            From: Dr Yassin Mshana <ymshana2003@gmail.com>
            To: africann@afrinic.net
            Sent: Mon, November 15, 2010 2:55:52 PM
            Subject: Re: [AfrICANN-discuss] .Africa project - truth

            Fellow Africanns,

            With all due respect, I wish to share my observations as a son of this blessed Continent as follows:

            1. Dot-Africa is an initiative and has to originate from somewhere and this time it was within Africans (an individual as it is so claimed)
            2. Dot-Africa project was presented to Africans through a Commission and somewhere/somehow during the process a discussion ensued where varied opinions were aired (it is a process therefore that is unavoidable)
            3. It is surprising to read this letter to Ms Bekele from AUC, the content of which indicates that there has been a major change in Thinking.which may have effect on the entrepreneurship component of dot Africa.
            4. I find that, the Open Process mentioned in the letter from the Deputy Chairperson needed to be described to us
            5. Meanwhile, it seems that the practical side of business investment may have been affected by this 'change in consideration/endorsement'  .....I have to ask at this point what Process took place to cause this reverse? 
            6. In addition, should there an 'Open Process' , my I humbly ask What Policy Process shall this 'Process' should be adhered to? or rather, do we have a Policy Development Process for this process?
            7. I am not sure who to address this to because the matter should concern the Global Internet Policy - has there been a Despute Resolution Process as per the ICANN processes?
            8. Meanwhile, I can see a business image being a victim of this Process mentioned in the published letter .
            9. I declare that I wish to see dot Africa proceed with the business it has explored with acknowledgement of the AUC or rather AU
            10. Finally, I wish to request to the Minutes of the Meeting that was called to Change the Endorsement which may stop a global business based on the Internet to proceed after an investment has been made with good faith.

            I presume that my observations will be considered /interpreted to be developmental as intended to promote Internet-based business in Africa and the World.

             I look forward to a response from the responsible.

            Kind regards

            Dr Yassin Mshana 

            (ex ICANN-ccNSO Council -Africa 2004-05)

            On 15 November 2010 13:46, Nii Narku Quaynor <quaynor@ghana.com> wrote:

            ....from the Archives of an old man
            Nii
            _______________________________________________
            AfrICANN mailing list
            AfrICANN@afrinic.net
            https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

            --
            c/o DFID-Sierra Leone
            5 Off Spur Road
            Wilberforce
            Freetown
            SIERRA LEONE

            Skype: yassinmshana1

            Mobile:+23276926697 
            Fax:  (+232) 22235769
            Do You really NEED TO PRINT THIS?

        2. Anonymous

          No, it is all your own speculation of what DCA would do, same as who is writing to you.

          Certainly, based on ICANN's COI principles, we will ask our candidate to disclose their COI.  Most of our Board of Directors and aadvisors are known to ICANN and have used the COI clause to do the same. How could a Candidate tainted so closely with all sorts of COI since 2007 upto date on dotafrica will not disclose that .  That is our issue.  It is not about supporting one effort or another.  It speaks a lot about how people operate.  Is called transparency.  If it was me, I will admit error and move on.  No need to create war over it. Thanks

  6. Anonymous

    Dear ALAC,

    Congratulations on fielding 3 superb Candidates for the ICANN Board seat.

    Each of them would be outstanding on the Board.  I know A.G and S.B by reputation only

    and they have shown themselves quite worthy by their past work in ICANN and other Internet

    related bodies.

    I do however know P.D. personally and would like to echo the comments of Eric O. and the

    Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa, and the West Africa Internet Governance Forum in

    regards to the tireless work that P.D. has done on behalf of the African Internet Community.  He is a man of

    integrity and vision, and would be an asset to the ICANN Board.

    Good Luck in making this difficult decison! 

    Best Regards,

    McTim

  7. Anonymous

    I have known Pierre D. over the last 2yrs and he has demonstrated a positive vision for the African Internet community and would be a great candidate for the post.  all the best.

    walu.

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