Véron Mosengo-Omba, the sole candidate for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo football federation (Fecofa), faces allegations of bullying and intimidation directed at members of the Confederation of African Football's (Caf) audit and compliance committee (AACC).
Meeting in October 2024
The allegations stem from a two-hour meeting on 19 October 2024 between Mosengo-Omba, then Caf general secretary, and the AACC. During the meeting, Mosengo-Omba allegedly threatened to sue committee members and report them to the Fifa ethics committee. This was in response to a 2023-24 governance, risk and compliance (GRC) report that was highly critical of his ethical conduct. The Guardian has obtained a recording of the meeting.
Committee member's account
An AACC member who attended the meeting told the Guardian: “First of all Véron called this meeting instead of our chair … and started with an introduction … but three minutes in, he is talking about suing us if we report issues in the financial statements.” The member added that the relationship soured when the committee began reviewing audit reports. “We started asking questions, and boom, we were suddenly at war with the secretary general’s office.” The member also noted that the head of legal, Felix Majani, was present instead of the head of governance, Hannan Nur, which was irregular.
The AACC member said Mosengo-Omba threatened to report them to Fifa for “calumny” in the GRC report. “He said it could attract Fifa sanctions. He threatened to sue all of us and threatened us with his lawyers. I have wanted to resign many times but I do not want to leave the committee in a mess.”
GRC report details
The nine-page 2023-24 GRC report, seen by the Guardian, was written by Hannan Nur. In it, she states she was “obstructed” in her compliance duties and that there was “undue interference in GRC work” from Mosengo-Omba’s office. The report notes that a newly updated compliance programme, including a compliance handbook and code of conduct, was held back by the general secretary’s office for almost a year. “The constant obstruction addresses an overall perception of widespread mistrust which fuels beliefs of professional inadequacy and incompetency,” Nur wrote.
Nur was dismissed last year and is suing Caf for victimisation and unfair dismissal. Mosengo-Omba did not respond to requests for comment. He has previously denied wrongdoing, insisting he “acted with full integrity” and that “independent investigations will expose the falsity” of the claims. The Guardian also contacted the AACC chair, Mohammed Zaazi, and other members but received no response.
Call for investigation
Miguel Maduro, former chair of Fifa’s governance committee, called for an investigation into Nur’s dismissal. “It’s suspicious but one needs a proper investigation to establish the link between the report and her firing,” he told the Guardian.
Mosengo-Omba's resignation and Fecofa candidacy
Mosengo-Omba, 66, resigned as Caf general secretary in March, having stayed beyond the mandatory retirement age of 63. He said he wanted to devote himself to personal projects. In October 2024, the Guardian reported that he had been accused of running Caf as his “proprietorship” and creating a toxic culture of fear. He has denied any wrongdoing.
In March, Mosengo-Omba became the ninth and final candidate to stand in the Fecofa elections, scheduled for Wednesday. The other eight candidates have withdrawn or been declared ineligible, leaving him poised to assume office and potentially lead the country to their second World Cup.
Citizenship controversy
Mosengo-Omba’s candidacy has been controversial due to his citizenship. He left the DRC at 18 for studies in Europe and renounced his Congolese citizenship to become Swiss, as the DRC constitution forbids dual nationality. It remains unclear whether he has renounced his Swiss nationality and legally restored his Congolese citizenship.
Caf president Patrice Motsepe told the Guardian last year that he had “complete trust and confidence” in Mosengo-Omba. However, Jean-Claude Mukanya, a former DRC captain and ineligible candidate, has called for the elections to be suspended pending an investigation into alleged irregularities. A statement from Mukanya said: “To Fifa and Caf, we ask for the opening of a serious investigation so that light is shed on the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
