[afnog] [rpd] Nomination du Directeur Général (DG) par intérim de AFRINIC

Kofi ANSA AKUFO kofi.ansa at gmail.com
Fri Jan 2 05:44:59 UTC 2015


Hi Andrew,

EN: See my responds inline - lets encourage discussions in english and
french in 2015.

FR: Trouver ma réponse à votre message en ligne - en 2015 nous encourageons les
discussions en anglais et en français.

On 1 January 2015 at 09:54, Andrew Alston <Andrew.Alston at liquidtelecom.com>
wrote:

>  Hi Kofi,
>
>  I am responding to this only having spoken to the chair of the board
> before doing so, since I was very much in to minds about if I should
> dignify this with a public response.  However, after thinking about it,
> there are issues raised below that need to be addressed.
>
> EN: I am open to constructive discussion and freedom of opinions - you can
change your hat at anytime do not feel obliged.

FR: Je suis ouvert à une discussion constructive et de la liberté d'opinions.
Vous pouvez changer votre chapeau à tout moment ne vous sentez pas obligé.


>  Firstly, your argument that the legal advisor be recused because he is
> Mauritian and this represents a conflict of interest is in my mind, nothing
> short of nonsensical.  To practice law in a particular country, you
> generally need to be licensed in that country, and have an understanding of
> the laws of the nation in which you work.  It goes without saying that it
> will generally be Mauritians arguing Mauritian legal issues, since they are
> the most knowledgable on their countries own laws.
>

EN: There are many non Mauritians who can advise independently.

FR: Il ya beaucoup de non Mauriciens qui peuvent conseiller indépendamment.


>  Secondly, unless the legal council stood to gain from his advice and
> potentially get the job himself, there is no conflict.
>
> EN: A national of the implied country benefits and the lawyer hails from
the same country. This violates the truly independent intent of the counsel.

FR: Il y a bénéficie pour ressortissant du pays et l'avocat est originaire
du même pays. Ceci viole l'intention véritablement indépendant de l'avocat.


>  The legal definition of conflict of interest is as follows:
> *A term used to describe the situation in which a public official or fiduciary who, contrary to the obligation and absolute duty to act for the benefit of the public, or a designated individual, exploits the relationship for personal benefit, typically pecuniary.*
>
>
EN: That's for individual but when acting in public trust as in Afrinic one
should be held to a higher level of accountability requiring we are not
casual.

FR: C'est pour personne, mais agissant dans la confiance du public comme
dans AFRINIC, nous devraient être tenus à un niveau plus élevé de
responsabilité nous ne devraient etre pas occasionnel.


>  If you are alleging that the advice from council falls within this
> definition, I would challenge you publicly to demonstrate the benefit
> derived by council.
>
> EN: Moral obligation and accountability is of utmost importance

FR: L'obligation morale et la responsabilité est d'une importance extrême


>  Now, on to another issue.  Firstly, there are many cases where the exact
> criteria within a company for a CEO do not necessarily apply to an acting
> or interim CEO.  In many cases infact, the CEO appoints an acting when he
> goes on leave for example and does not even require board approval to do
> so.  This in unique from that scenario in the fact that we are referring to
> an interim CEO and not an acting, but by and large they amount to the same
> thing, an individual in a caretaker role.  The bylaws give no criteria for
> such caretaker positions.
>
> EN: Just follow AFRINIC Bylaws or follow the procedure to amend bylaws DO
NOT argue or wish it away - there is no room for double standards.

FR: Il suffit de suivre AfriNIC Bylaws
<http://www.afrinic.net/en/about-us/bylaws?start=16> ou modifier statuts Ne
pas discuter ou souhaiter loin. Il n'y a pas deux poids deux mesures.


>  Secondly, even if you wish to believe that the criteria that stops a
> national of the hosting country being CEO applies to the interim position,
> that does not override the fact that council has advised that the clause
> may well be struck down in a court of law.  To clarify a little, the clause
> could be seen as discriminatory and would fall foul of legislation that
> stops discrimination.
>
> EN: You are welcome to proposed Bylaws
<http://www.afrinic.net/en/about-us/bylaws?start=16> modification at AGM
but in the meantime advice leads to violation of bylaws in favor of a
Mauritian.

FR: Vous êtes invités à une proposition de modification des Bylaws
<http://www.afrinic.net/en/about-us/bylaws?start=16> à l'AGA, mais dans les
conseils d'intervalle mène à la violation des règlements en faveur d'un
Mauricien.

 It is my personal view (taking my other hats off for a second), the the
> clause is the equivalent of saying “The CEO may not be a member of the
> official religion of the country in which AfriNIC is hosted”, and yes,
> while this is a bizarre example, the principles remain the same.
>
> EN: Sounds inflammatory again you are welcome to make a proposal to amend
the bylaws if you wish but in the meantime the board is obligated to follow
it. Board SHOULD NOT make new laws on the fly.

FR: Sons inflammatoire mais vous êtes invités à faire une proposition
visant à modifier les statuts si vous le souhaitez, mais dans l'intervalle, le
conseil est tenu de suivre. Conseil NE DEVRAIT PAS faire de nouvelles lois
sur la volée.


>  To enforce that clause would potentially open AfriNIC to legal
> liability, and I might point out that one Mauritian individual (who is
> neither an employee nor has any personal stake in this) already raised the
> question of the legality of that clause in an informal discussion between
> various people.
>
> EN: Well this could be an argument in your proposed bylaws modification
but meanwhile the board MUST follow the existing bylaws.

FR: cela pourrait être un argument dans votre proposition de modification
bylaws mais en attendant, le conseil doit suivre les règlements existants.


>  With regards to your comments about votes of no confidence.  If the
> community feels that the board is not leading them in the way they feel is
> serving of the community, it is the right of any member of the community to
> bring a motion before the floor of an AAGM provided they follow the
> processes to do so and can then garner sufficient support from the floor to
> pass the motion.  In this particular case, the board has striven to be fair
> and equitable and act within their delegated fiduciary duties and within
> the bounds of the law as advised by legal council.  Should a member of the
> community feel that such actions, which the board felt were in the best
> interests of the community, are grounds for such a motion, provided the
> processes are followed, both within the context of the bylaws and (where
> the bylaws are silent or there is an overriding section in the Mauritian
> companies act), they are free to bring such a motion.  The board is
> confident that the community at large will see that it has attempted to act
> in good faith and in the best interests of AfriNIC and its community.
>
> EN: Dont be misled the boards conduct in recent times is not close to that
especially when it does NOT adhere to the spirit of the bylaws the
community has ratified.

FR: Ne pas être induit en erreur, les conseils est proche de celle surtout
quand il ne adhère pas à l'esprit des bylaws de la communauté.


Cheers

Kofi Ansa Akufo

>
>
>   From: Kofi ANSA AKUFO <kofi.ansa at gmail.com>
> Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 8:15 PM
> To: Sunday Folayan <sfolayan at gmail.com>
> Cc: "disc >> AfriNIC Discuss" <members-discuss at afrinic.net>, AfrICANN
> list <africann at afrinic.net>, "rpd >> AfriNIC Resource Policy" <
> rpd at afrinic.net>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] Re: Appointment of an Interim CEO for AFRINIC
>
>     Dear Mr. Chairman and Board of Directors
>
>  Thank you for the timely response.
>
>  First of all I understand the legal counsel is a national of the country
> of the headquarters of AFRINIC which in itself exposes a conflict of
> interest regarding interpretation of the by-laws. This requires the said
> legal advisor to be RECUSED ( e.g. excuse oneself from a case because of
> a possible conflict of interest or lack of impartiality)
>
>  Secondly regardles of the adjective qualifying the CEO appointment, be
> it INTERIM, ACTING, SUBSTANTIVE etc there is no distinction with respect to
> the duties and responsibilities of functions of the CEO role.
>
> In  other word it is inappropriate for the board of directors to resort to
> semantics to diferentiate titles to the same role function.
>
>  At this juncture I will advise the board of directors to reconsider
> their appointment following the by-laws.
>
> This is a critical and sensitive decision which must be addressed
> IMMEDIATELY to prevent vote of no confidence in the AFRINIC board of
> directors which may lead to dissolution of the board.
>
>  Let me use this opportunity to also wish the community Happy,
> Prosperous, Productive and Accountable New Year - 2015 !!!!!.
>
>  cheers
>
>  Kofi Ansa Akufo
>
> On 31 December 2014 at 20:37, Sunday Folayan <sfolayan at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>> Hash: SHA1
>>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>>
>> Further to my earlier email, Mr Patrisse Dissee is from Mauritius.
>>
>> The Search Committee, before presenting the final slate of Interim CEO
>> candidates to the Board, did seek the advise of the AFRINIC Legal
>> Counsel regarding the Interim CEO eligibility around nationality,
>> specifically Article 17.3.
>>
>> The response of the counsel is:
>>
>> <BEGIN LEGAL>
>> Appointment of the Interim CEO
>> As a matter of good practice, where the Board is confronted with an
>> issue which sounds and/or looks confusing, the bylaws in the first
>> place has to be examined to look for a clarification. Where the
>> obscurity still prevails after this first step, the Company’s Act will
>> have to be perused to try and work out a solution.
>>
>> It is according to me important that the board be agreed on the
>> meaning of an “interim appointment”.
>>
>> The ordinary meaning of “interim” in the Cassell’s English Dictionary
>> is temporary or provisional.
>>
>> It is now apposite to consider Art 17 of the bylaws generally in the
>> first place and as a second step Art 17.3 specifically.
>>
>> What one can gather from a cursory reading of Art 17 are inter alia
>> the following:-
>>
>> The CEO
>> (1) is appointed by the Board by a majority vote.
>> (2) May be removed by “.. an affirmative vote of two- thirds of all
>> other directors”
>> (3) Cannot be appointed from the nationals of the country hosting the
>> company’s seat.
>>
>> The “Art 17.3” prohibition
>> This prohibition was the result of an amendment brought to the bylaws
>> following community approval.
>>
>> [ I have drawn attention to the fact that this prohibition may be
>> struck down on grounds of unconstitutionality by the Supreme Court if
>> ever any Mauritian national challenges same. It does look illogical
>> for a Mauritian not to be able to be employed by a Mauritian Company
>> in whatever capacity. This may also open the door to an enquiry by the
>> Equal Opportunities Commission in the event that a report to that
>> effect is made there.]
>>
>> Be that as it may, it is my considered opinion that the prohibition
>> does not apply to an interim appointment. Why do I say that?
>> (i) The position of “ interim CEO” is not found in the Company’s bylaws.
>> (ii) There is no express provision for the qualifications required of
>> an interim CEO. As such it is for the Board to prescribe such
>> qualifications.
>> (iii) The Board, without infringing the provisions of Art 17.3, may
>> appoint, [without creating any precedence] any one it deemed fit,
>> Mauritian, in house or otherwise, to fill in the interim position. The
>> letter of appointment for that interim recruitment must be rigorously
>> drawn up. Moreover it will not be out of place to make this
>> appointment the subject matter of a formal board resolution[ May be
>> this is already the case]
>>
>> (iv) It is the board which felt the need to have an interim
>> appointment to ensure both a proper handing over and enough time to go
>> through the recruitment process. This context has to be borne in mind.
>>
>> Is there any gender issue?
>> Art 17 of the by laws read together with the Section 5 of the
>> Interpretation and General Clauses Act of 1982 do not create a gender bar.
>>
>> This section reads as follows –
>> (5) “ General rules of Interpretation-
>>         (1)-Words imputing the masculine shall include the feminine and
>> the
>> neuter.
>>
>> The appointment of the CEO as Director.
>> Do note that the Board approves the appointment of the CEO as an
>> employee of the company. But the CEO becomes a member of the Board in
>> an ex-officio capacity by reason of the said appointment.
>>
>> The ambit of Art 13.14.
>> This article deals with the filling of vacancies at Board level where
>> a casual vacancy has occurred. One should not read more than this in
>> this article. It definitely has nothing to do with the appointment of
>> the CEO-interim or other wise.
>>
>> I remain at your disposal for any further clarification you may require".
>> <END LEGAL>
>>
>> The Board was guided by a deep sense of fairness and of course, its
>> fiduciary responsibility.
>>
>> Thank you very much for your continued care and support for AFRINIC.
>> The Board remains at members disposal for any clarification on its
>> actions.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Sunday Folayan
>> Board Chair
>>
>> On 31/12/2014 07:19, Kofi Ansa Akufo wrote:
>> > Dear Mr. Chairman
>> >
>> > Thank you for the update and congratulations to Patrisse for
>> > assuming the interim CEO role.
>> >
>> > What is the nationality of Mr. Patrisse Deesse? Is he a national of
>> > Malawi?
>> >
>> > I would however like clarification of article 17.3 of the AFRINIC
>> > Bylaws which states;
>> >
>> > "The nationals of the country hosting the headquarters of AFRINIC
>> > shall be ineligible for appointment to the office of Chief
>> > Executive Officer"
>> >
>> > The current by-laws does not currently define clearly the protocols
>> > of appointing an interim CEO so what framework is currently used to
>> > appoint interim CEO?
>> >
>> > Could persons appointed to interim CEO include nationals of the
>> > country hosting the headquarters of AFRINIC?
>> >
>> > Thank you
>> >
>> > Kofi Ansa Akufo Technical Consultant iNET Communications Ltd.
>> > E-mail: kofi.ansa at inet.com.gh
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sunday Folayan"
>> > <sfolayan at gmail.com> To: "members-disc >> AfriNIC Discuss"
>> > <members-discuss at afrinic.net> Cc: "AfrICANN list"
>> > <africann at afrinic.net>, "rpd" <rpd at afrinic.net> Sent: Wednesday,
>> > December 31, 2014 9:14:55 AM Subject: [rpd] Appointment of an
>> > Interim CEO for AFRINIC
>> >
>> > Dear Members and Friends,
>> >
>> > As part of the ongoing process to find a successor to our founding
>> >  CEO, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Patrisse
>> > Deesse at the Interim Chief Executive Officer of AFRINIC.
>> >
>> > Patrisse joined AFRINIC in September 2007 as Finance and
>> > Administration Manager. He has been involved in all aspects of the
>> >  organisation including Finance, Human Resources and
>> > Administration. He worked on and implemented several projects
>> > relating to Billing and set up of the financial processes and
>> > procedures.
>> >
>> > Prior to working at AFRINIC, his previous work experience extends
>> > over 30 years at a large international conglomerate in Malawi (one
>> >  of the largest private Companies in the country) in accounting,
>> > occupying several senior managerial positions, including Head
>> > Office Accountant and Treasury Manager. He is Exposed to
>> > international management practices and standards in a multicultural
>> > environment. He is a Fellow member of an International Accounting
>> > body.
>> >
>> > Until his appointment, Patrisse was the Finance and Accounts
>> > Director of AFRINIC. In his new role, He will lead the AFRINIC
>> > team, pending the appointment and resumption of the substantive
>> > Chief Executive.
>> >
>> > The process of the recruiting the Chief Executive Officer Board
>> > has entered the candidates evaluation phase. The Board is pleased
>> > with the progress made so far.
>> >
>> > Congratulations Patrisse.
>> >
>> > Best Regards ...
>> >
>> > Sunday Folayan Chair, AFRINIC Board
>> > _______________________________________________ rpd mailing list
>> > rpd at afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/rpd
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > From: "Sunday Folayan" <sfolayan at gmail.com> To: "members-disc >>
>> > AfriNIC Discuss" <members-discuss at afrinic.net> Cc: "AfrICANN list"
>> >  <africann at afrinic.net>, "rpd" <rpd at afrinic.net> Sent: Wednesday,
>> > December 31, 2014 9:14:55 AM Subject: [rpd] Appointment of an
>> > Interim CEO for AFRINIC
>> >
>> > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1
>> >
>> > Dear Members and Friends,
>> >
>> > As part of the ongoing process to find a successor to our founding
>> >  CEO, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Patrisse
>> > Deesse at the Interim Chief Executive Officer of AFRINIC.
>> >
>> > Patrisse joined AFRINIC in September 2007 as Finance and
>> > Administration Manager. He has been involved in all aspects of the
>> >  organisation including Finance, Human Resources and
>> > Administration. He worked on and implemented several projects
>> > relating to Billing and set up of the financial processes and
>> > procedures.
>> >
>> > Prior to working at AFRINIC, his previous work experience extends
>> > over 30 years at a large international conglomerate in Malawi (one
>> >  of the largest private Companies in the country) in accounting,
>> > occupying several senior managerial positions, including Head
>> > Office Accountant and Treasury Manager. He is Exposed to
>> > international management practices and standards in a multicultural
>> > environment. He is a Fellow member of an International Accounting
>> > body.
>> >
>> > Until his appointment, Patrisse was the Finance and Accounts
>> > Director of AFRINIC. In his new role, He will lead the AFRINIC
>> > team, pending the appointment and resumption of the substantive
>> > Chief Executive.
>> >
>> > The process of the recruiting the Chief Executive Officer Board has
>> > entered the candidates evaluation phase. The Board is pleased with
>> > the progress made so far.
>> >
>> > Congratulations Patrisse.
>> >
>> > Best Regards ...
>> >
>> > Sunday Folayan
>>  Chair, AFRINIC Board
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>> _______________________________________________
>> rpd mailing list
>> rpd at afrinic.net
>> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/rpd
>>
>
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