Independent Review Process Delays dotAfrica Public Launch

The public launch of the .africa TLD which was expected to the launch this month by the ZACR has been delayed due to the Independent Review Process (IRP) - currently in progress between ICANN and DotConnectAfrica Trust (DCA Trust).

It is a matter of public record that DCA Trust initially submitted a separate competing application for .africa, but lacked critical government support. In contrast, the ZACR’s application for .africa was accompanied by widespread support from African governments, the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Internet community.

The interim relief granted after DCA Trust submitted an Amended Notice of Independent Review Process (“IRP”) on January 10, 2014 to the International Center for Dispute Resolution (ICDR).  DCA Trust sent its Notice of IRP in October 2013. This is a step towards resolution of the dispute between ICANN and DCA Trust over ICANN Board decisions and actions taken with regard to DCA Trust’s application for the .africa new gTLD.

The IRP is one of the accountability review processes set out in the ICANN Bylaws. For an understanding of how ICANN’s accountability review processes work, including the IRP. The DCA Trust/ICANN IRP will continue along the defined process. Documents related to the IRP are available at http://www.icann.org/en/news/irp/dca-v-icann.

DotConnectAfrica is confident that the requests and concerns on .africa will be brought to a respectable and amicable conclusion and hopes that its application will be given fair hearing.