In a statement regarding ICANN’s current partnership with the Department of Commerce, a representative group of African registrars and government leaders officially announced its support for the organization.
The group believes that Africa has benefited and will continue to benefit from the relationship.
The Internet’s sound and effective coordination should continue to be operated along the criteria and procedures that have given to the Internet its stability and secure operation, said the group.
There is concern that if ICANN is fully privatized or put under different control, African countries might be given a smaller piece of the pie, so to speak. This is a stark change in opinion from a year ago, when representatives from the continent wanted international governance for the organization.
In a place where obtaining network stability yet alone government stability is still a challenge, the group has good reason to fear exploitation. Africa needs to do everything it can to make sure its IT resources are preserved for future generations.
Source: IDG
Photo: Flickr