General Abou Issa was appointed Chief of Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces during a Council of Ministers meeting held on 4 November 2026. He officially takes office today, 6 November 2026. This appointment was finalized during the Council of Ministers meeting on November 4, 2026, confirming his new role within the national security apparatus. General Abou Issa officially takes office on Friday, November 6, 2026, marking a significant transition in the military’s high command. General Abou Issa succeeds General Fructueux Gbaguidi in this leadership role. General Fructueux Gbaguidi previously held the position of Chief of Staff, and General Abou Issa now steps into the role to oversee the operations of the Beninese Armed Forces.
Military Career and Background
General Abou Issa is 60 years old. His career within the Beninese Armed Forces began on 1 October 1986, marking the start of his four decades of service to the state. He joined the Armed Forces on October 1, 1986, and has since navigated various responsibilities within the military hierarchy. Before his current appointment as Chief of Staff, he held a significant leadership position within the military structure. Specifically, Abou Issa served as head of the Army from 2022 to 2026. His tenure as head of the Army provided him with extensive experience in managing the operational readiness and strategic deployment of ground forces, a role he maintained for four years before his elevation to the top military post.
New Leadership Appointments Announced
Colonel André Dokoui Fofo assumed the leadership of the Army following the appointments finalized during the Council of Ministers meeting. Colonel André Dokoui Fofo was appointed as the head of the Army as part of the structural adjustments within the military. His transition into this position follows the departure of General Abou Issa, who held the role from 2022 until his recent elevation to Chief of Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces. The change in command for the Army is expected to ensure continuity in the strategic objectives previously established by the high command.
Colonel Hervé Sètondji Allotchenou also received a command appointment as part of these structural changes. Colonel Hervé Sètondji Allotchenou was appointed as Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He now serves as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, taking responsibility for the oversight and administration of the nation's aerial defense capabilities. These leadership assignments within the military branches took effect on 6 November 2026, alongside the broader reorganization of the high command. The formal appointment process, concluded during the Council of Ministers meeting, reflects a full update to the leadership structure of the Beninese Armed Forces.
