October 28 – Controversial Djiboutian football boss Souleiman Waberi has announced that he will bid for a seat on the FIFA Council.
On social media, Waberi, who served as the president of the Fédération Djiboutienne de Football (FDF) from 2012 until 2024 and is a vice-president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), explained his decision: “After eight (8) years of commitment to CAF, including four (4) as Vice-President, and on the recommendation of my Cecafa zone, I have, after careful consideration and consultation with my friends and colleagues, taken the decision to present my candidacy to the FIFA Council during the next CAF elections scheduled for March 12, 2025, inshallah.”
Earlier this month, Waberi was detained by local authorities after a financial audit by the Djiboutian state pointed toward financial mismanagement. In March, Waberi stepped down from his role following his suspension from all football-related activities by the Djibouti Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Waberi had not responded to a letter by the ministry, demanding details of funding for a new pitch donated by the Moroccan Football Federation, and a building for the federation, funded by Saudi money. Waberi resigned without explanation.
In 2021, FIFA stepped in to shield Waberi from ‘government interference’ with the threat of suspension for third-party interference. Then general secretary Fatma Samoura also stepped in on an official visit in November 2021.
Waberi’s track record suggests he may face eligibility questions. Article 27.5 of the FIFA Statutes reads: “Council members shall be elected by the member associations on the occasion of their confederation congresses in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. Candidates for the Council must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Review Committee in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations. The election of Council members shall be monitored by FIFA.”
Waberi, however, has been around African football politics for a long time. In 2017, he was elected as a member of the executive committee of CAF. He has also served as a member of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa). The region is not represented on the FIFA Council, the highest decision-making body in world football.
Hany Abo Rida of Egypt, Mamoutou Touré of Mali, Mathurin De Chacus of Benin, Isha Johansen of Sierra Leone, Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco and Amaju Pinnick of Nigeria represent Africa on the FIFA Council. Touré remains reportedly in jail in his home country on accusations of embezzlement.
CAF boss Patrice Motsepe serves as one of FIFA’s vice presidents.
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