Interview: Djibouti’s Waberi excited to join FIFA Council

The President of the Fédération Djiboutienne de Football (FDF), Souleiman Hassan Waberi has said he very excited to become member of the FIFA Council 2025-2029.

Waberi, a former referee was among the six members elected to represent Africa during the elective CAF General Assembly held at the Marriot Mena House Hotel in Cairo, Egypt.

“First of all I want to thank my brother from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations and all delegates who voted for me to ensure I get to represent Africa on the FIFA Council,” said Waberi.

Waberi made it clear that it is a previlege to be voted to go serve the African continent on the FIFA Council and help play a role in shaping more growth in the continent.

“I am happy to become the first member from the CECAFA Zone to be elected to the FIFA Council and I promise to work hard together with the other elected members to keep pushing for Football development,” said the experienced Football administrator.

“This is more than a personal victory, it is a symbol for an entire nation, for Africa, for the CECAFA zone and for all those who believe in stronger, more united football.

I measure the magnitude of this responsibility and the honor I have been given. To those who believed in me, to the family, to the presidents of the federations, to FIFA and CAF, to the President of the Republic of Djibouti, to the First Lady, Ms. Aïcha Garad, to the football lovers and to all the Djiboutian people who supported me throughout this battle: Thank you,” added Waberi.

He made it clear that Africa is full of talent, ideas, energy, which must now turn this wealth into concrete opportunity. “My commitment is clear: to give our continent the place it deserves in the global football, to promote a more inclusive and ambitious sport,” he added.

The out-going CAF Third Vice President Waberi has been President of the Fédération Djiboutienne de Football (FDF) from 2012 until today. He made his ambition clear last year that he wanted to become a Member of the FIFA Council.

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 other members elected today on the FIFA Council besides Waberi include; Hany Abo Rida (Egypt), Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco), Ahmed Ould Yahya (Mauritania), Djibrilla Hima Hamidou (Niger) and female representative Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros).