Véron Mosengo-Omba has resigned as Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football, ending a turbulent four years at the top of African football. In a statement dated 29 March 2026, he said he was leaving to focus on personal projects and thanked CAF president Patrice Motsepe, colleagues and supporters.
His exit comes amid internal strain, public scrutiny and fresh questions about governance. The Guardian reported on Sunday that Mosengo-Omba resigned after repeated calls for his removal.
Mosengo-Omba was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and holds Swiss nationality. He joined CAF in March 2021 after leaving FIFA, where he held senior roles connected to African member associations. FIFA said he played an important part in football development across Africa.
His time at CAF matched a period of restructuring under Motsepe. The organisation aimed to improve financial management, restore credibility and strengthen competitions. Supporters say CAF became more organised, but critics say governance concerns and mistrust persisted.
A resignation shaped by pressure and controversy
Mosengo-Omba’s resignation follows months of controversy. In 2025, Reuters reported that Swiss prosecutors ended an investigation into alleged suspicious payments, finding no grounds to proceed. Mosengo-Omba denied any wrongdoing and said the case cast unfair suspicion over him.
Other criticism continued. Reports over the past year linked him to governance disputes inside CAF, including alleged interference, poor internal culture and conflict over decisions. The Guardian reported in October 2025 that current and former staff accused him of fostering a culture of fear and sidelining dissent. These allegations increased pressure on a secretary general seen as one of the most divisive figures in African football.
In his resignation message, Mosengo-Omba said he could leave with peace of mind after dispelling suspicions. He did not frame his exit as a failure, but as the end of a difficult political and reputational battle.
CAF has acted quickly to avoid a leadership gap. Reports say Samson Adamu will serve as interim secretary general while the search for a permanent replacement begins. Adamu is well known in African football and has served as CAF’s Director of Competitions, overseeing matches and tournaments across the continent.
His appointment brings continuity at a sensitive time. CAF still faces major questions about governance, credibility and management of top competitions. The next permanent secretary general will inherit influence, but also significant political risk.
For CAF, this resignation is more than a personnel change. It ends a contentious chapter in the Motsepe era and marks the start of another. The next Secretary General will need to rebuild trust in an organisation where power, scrutiny and football politics are never far apart.
