Benin: Who Is Abou Issa, the New Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces?

Lieutenant General Abou Issa, 60, succeeds General Fructueux Gbaguidi as head of Benin’s armed forces and is due to take office on November 6, 2026. He joined the military in 1986, trained in Madagascar, Benin and China, and held several command posts, including chief of staff of the army from 2022 to 2026. A military reshuffle announced after the November 4 Council of Ministers also appoints André Dokoui Fofo to lead the army and Hervé Sètondji Allotchenou to lead the air force. Gbaguidi becomes permanent secretary of the National Defense and Security Council.