By Rebecca Wanjiku, Highway Africa News Agency
July 15, 2005

Luxembourg- The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has sent a message of reassurance to its partners that the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US government will continue to be respected until its expiry date in 2006.

Speaking at the on-going conference in Luxembourg, Theresa Swinehart, general manager in charge of global partnerships at ICANN, said that the recent US government declaration indicating its intention to retain control of root servers, had not affected the validity of the existing MoU in any way.

In terms of the MoU, ICANN will remain firmly tucked under the wings of the US government until September next year when the MoU expires. Both ICANN supporters and critics are closely monitoring the pending divorce proceedings.

In terms of the recent declaration Washington has made it clear that it has no intention of relinquishing control of the critical root file that maintains the integrity of the internet. At the same time, the US government has been at pains not to undermine ICANN, and has expressed support for the activities of the organisation.

Swinehart believes that Washington's confidence bodes well for the future of ICANN. "The statement by the US represents the situation as it is now. There is nothing to show that the memo will not be fulfilled. We are still on course," says Swinehart.

Observers believe that in going back on its word to release the root servers, the US government has flexed its muscles to show the world that it fully intends to retain control of the internet. The statement came at a time when the US is experiencing strained relations with several European countries over "over ICANN's decision to act as a semi-regulator."

However, Pierre Dandjinou , chairperson of AfriNIC - the African Regional Registry - says the US declaration could be interpreted in one of two ways – either that there is a need for more security on the internet or that it is merely a political statement inviting other countries for dialogue.

"In my opinion, the declaration by the US may have been a political statement inviting all other countries with various concerns to the discussion table. In this discussion, security issues will be raised and dealt with," adds Dandjinou.

AfriNIC is the Regional Registry for Internet Number Resources for Africa. It was approved as a fully fledged registry in April this year at ICANN's meeting in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

So where is Africa in this equation?

For Africa to actively participate in such a forum, Dandjinou argues that local infrastructure and access must improve substantially.

"What would happen if today the US told Africa to host one of the root servers? Is our infrastructure capable of supporting that? We must address these issues so that we are at par with other regions," he adds.

Dandjinou acknowledged there is a root server in South Africa but explained that it is not technically an original root server such as those in the US. He wondered what would happen if a country other than South Africa or Egypt were asked to host a root server.

While admitting that Africa needs to add its voice to the debate on internet governance, Dandjinou noted that there are other more pressing issues that Africa needs to address toward bridging the digital divide.