A coalition of 27 clubs is attempting to force an emergency vote to remove the executive committee of the Djibouti Football Federation, escalating a dispute over alleged financial misconduct. Police occupied the federation's headquarters on Monday following the completion of a police investigation into suspected embezzlement and money laundering.
Government orders emergency meeting
The government’s secretary for sport, Fatouma Ali Abdallah, has ordered the FDF to convene an extraordinary general assembly within 72 hours. This intervention follows the coalition's claim that it has the two-thirds support needed to trigger such a vote, though the federation disputes the club count, stating 45 votes from its 67 members are required. The order from the government is a significant escalation, applying direct pressure on the federation's leadership.
Financial irregularities under investigation
A police investigation finalised in September 2024 uncovered significant financial and administrative irregularities. These include procurement weaknesses, cash management issues, and the alleged misuse of cash payments totalling almost £500,000. The probe has put Fifa council member Souleiman Waberi and other officials at risk of facing charges. The investigation report details specific instances where large sums of cash were withdrawn without proper justification or documentation for federation activities.
Waberi has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement from August, he said, "Fifa’s monitoring mechanisms have revealed no indication of wrongdoing regarding the funds it disbursed." He has attributed the internal dispute to political motivations from rival factions within Djiboutian football.
Funding sources and project concerns
The financial scrutiny centres on development funds from Fifa and the Confederation of African Football (Caf), which contribute over $1 million annually to the FDF. This money, from Fifa's Forward development programme, is intended for infrastructure and youth projects like the Douda academy and artificial-pitch projects in Arta and Dikhil. These funds are a critical lifeline for football development in the small East African nation.
Various tenders for these projects are under investigation for non-compliance with standard procedures. Construction was halted after foreign workers not in compliance with immigration regulations were sent home. Caf and Fifa employees and contractors have described the situation as 'a complete farce', with money reported missing and projects left unfinished. Specific concerns have been raised about contracts awarded without competitive bidding and payments made for work that was never completed or even started.
The crisis in Djibouti highlights broader governance challenges in global football that can impact development pathways and funding integrity. The outcome of the emergency assembly could determine whether the current leadership remains in place to face the ongoing judicial process or is immediately replaced by a new committee.
Background and full detail: Hiiraan Online
