**Djibouti Football Federation Faces Allegations of Fund Mismanagement**
The Djibouti Football Federation is currently under scrutiny following a government audit that has raised serious allegations of fund mismanagement and favouritism. The audit, which was conducted in 2024, claims that the federation, primarily funded by FIFA, has not only misallocated its resources but also engaged in inadequate competitive bidding practices.
Djibouti, a small nation located in the Horn of Africa, has a men's football team that currently ranks 196th in the FIFA world rankings. Despite its low ranking, the recent success of other small African nations, such as Cape Verde—who advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup—has highlighted the potential for improvement and achievement in football with proper organization and management.
Local football stakeholders have expressed their outrage over the allegations against the federation. One club manager, who chose to remain anonymous, indicated that his team would boycott the upcoming league unless there was a change in leadership. He criticized the federation for not using its resources effectively for the development of football in the country, contrasting Djibouti's situation with the achievements of Cape Verde.
The government audit report, which has been made public, accuses the Djibouti Football Federation of showing favouritism when awarding contracts, particularly for the construction of a new headquarters funded by Saudi Arabia. The report also suggests that the costs associated with these contracts were inflated.
FIFA, which along with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) provides over $1 million annually to the Djibouti Football Federation, has not yet commented on the allegations. However, Mohamed Elmi Farah, a member of the federation's executive committee, resigned on August 12, citing concerns over the management and allocation of the federation's resources.
In response to the allegations, Souleiman Hassan Waberi, the long-serving president of the Djibouti Football Federation, stated that FIFA has cleared the federation of any wrongdoing. Waberi, who also represents the Confederation of African Football on the FIFA Council, claimed that FIFA's monitoring mechanisms have not revealed any indications of mismanagement regarding the funds provided.
While Waberi acknowledged some shortcomings in competitive bidding processes, he attributed these issues to the limited availability of certain items in Djibouti. He asserted that the federation has since improved its procedures to ensure better compliance with bidding standards.
Djibouti's political landscape is also relevant to the current situation. The country has been under the leadership of President Ismael Omar Guelleh since 1999 and ranks 124th out of 182 countries in Transparency International's corruption perception index. This ranking highlights ongoing concerns regarding governance and accountability in the nation.
As the Djibouti Football Federation navigates these allegations, the future of football in the country hangs in the balance. The dissatisfaction among players and local clubs could have significant implications for the sport's development in Djibouti, especially as the nation seeks to improve its standing in international football. The outcome of this situation may not only affect the federation's leadership but could also impact the broader landscape of football in the region.