Two resignations in protest over disgraceful situation at SEEDIG

Two members of the executive committee of the South-Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG) resigned last week in protest over recent developments in the regional internet governance initiative. Sasho Dimitrijoski, director of the Agency for Electronic Communications of the Republic of Macedonia, resigned due to “absolutely unacceptable” situation at SEEDIG. He wanted to resign already in September, a few months before his term would have ended, but since then the situation got worse. In my resignation statement, I explained the deteriorating situation at SEEDIG, which led to our resignation. The text is summarised in a separate blog post — Reasons behind resignations from SEEDIG executive committee — and provides more insight into the situation.

Reasons behind resignations from SEEDIG executive committee

It is deeply disappointing that a sad state of affairs at SEEDIG, as described in the blog post and in communication with SEEDIG’s supporting organisations, has been proven true once again. The observations have been shown to be true by all involved, especially those who orchestrated an unprecedented action for the petition and its support, based on false and malicious allegations. The petition was launched after the integrity of the election process was questioned. Members of the community were contacted to support the petition, and many responded, even without knowing what it is all about and without understanding the SEEDIG Terms of Reference (the SEEDIG bylaws).

Reflections on my two years at SEEDIG

Two years ago, in November 2017, I was elected as a member of the executive committee of the South-Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG).

I joined SEEDIG after finishing my mandate as chairman of the council of the national regulatory authority for communication networks and services and chairman of the national electronic communications council.

My mandate at SEEDIG began with the preparation of the SEEDIG plan, expansion of the network of partners and sponsors, and with preparations for the annual meeting that took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2018. The meeting was held under the honorary patronage of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Milan Brglez (now a member of the European Parliament) and supported by over 30 organisations. There were one-third more partner organisations than a year before and four times more local sponsors.