EXCLUSIVE: the damning report on the CAF and Véron Mosengo-Omba

"For almost a year now, the office of the secretary general has been holding back documents that need to be reviewed." From the first page of the report by the head of the governance, risk and compliance (GRC) department, Hannan Nur, the tone is set: Véron Mosengo-Omba will not be spared.

Regularly criticised off the record for his tendency to run the CAF "like his own house", the secretary general and his office face a range of allegations. In no particular order:

- No action taken following reports of "unethical behaviour"

- Centralisation of most of the power and departments of the CAF within the secretary general's office (guest relations, guest management, travel & accomodation, corporate events, ticketing).

- Conflicts of interest arising from this accumulation and concentration of power, which also fosters "instability" and "uncertainty"

- Possible conflicts of interest and favouritism towards certain African and Caribbean federations (Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo...) over the sending of football equipment, notably balls

- Favouritism and unequal treatment within the secretary general's office itself

- Possible abuse of power and mismanagement in seeking to change the rules and regulations on CAF travel.

Independent commissions "unable to complete their tasks"

Over nine pages, Hannan Nur sets out the various governance problems, and in particular the impossibility she faces in carrying out her duties properly. Other bodies at the CAF are affected too, notably the so-called "independent commissions".

Multiple problems (contractual, investment, etc.) affect the members of these commissions, who are "unable to effectively oversee regulatory requirements, monitor and complete their tasks".

The audit function is also singled out, with only two employees despite repeated calls to give this vital department more human and financial resources. Even worse, the head of internal audit resigned in April and has not been replaced!

Other major shortcomings emerge, such as a CAF that is still not up to national and international standards on data protection, or faulty equipment, sometimes dating back to 2009, rotting in the CAF warehouse in Cairo...

Irregularities over FIFA funds

While the report is damning about Véron Mosengo-Omba's office, another person is singled out in particular: Sarah Mukuna, the director of member associations. Her appointment, made through Mosengo-Omba, even breaches article 26.11 of the CAF statutes.

Among the grievances against Mukuna, numerous privileges are cited, such as the mass recruitment of consultants and employees while the CAF's other departments are drained of resources. But above all, it is Mukuna's official correspondence, sent without taking the time to inform her superiors or the relevant people – including Hannan Nur, the person in charge of the report – that is targeted, not to mention her role regarding FIFA funds:

"There are reports that the director of member associations (editor's note: Sarah Mukuna) has taken exclusive control of FIFA's Forward funds and that several irregularities are under way. However, for fear of reactions and reprisals from management, employees are afraid to break the omerta. These reports alone are enough to call for an external audit to investigate possible misappropriation."

"A stressful environment, contrary to ethics and professionalism"

While there are ego clashes and rivalries around Hannan Nur – a former FIFA employee – the report is precise enough to describe a "stressful environment, contrary to ethics and professionalism within the administration".

Unequal treatment of local employees and expatriates, abusive and coarse language from managers, health insurance problems, no response to employee complaints: these are problems eating away at the CAF across an entire system.

According to our information, Véron Mosengo-Omba tried to hide this report, even going as far as berating its author. For months it was kept hidden, before being discussed this week at an executive committee meeting called by Patrice Motsepe.

During the meeting, the CAF president played down the allegations and pushed hard for the file to be passed to the audit and governance committee, which will appoint an "independent" auditor. The problem is that "the independent audit" raises doubts about its genuine independence, not to mention Véron Mosengo-Omba's close ties with Dieudonné Happi, the Cameroonian vice-president of the governance committee. There are also doubts over the committee's president, the Namibian Petrus Damaseb.

It should be noted that Véron Mosengo-Omba has denied the allegations on his X account and says he is awaiting an "independent investigation that will expose the falsehood and the origin of this report".

By Romain Molina