The military cooperation between Benin and Haiti is poised to reach a new level as Haiti's army seeks assistance from Benin's military to train its young officers and rebuild its force. Haiti is facing a severe security crisis, with gangs controlling strategic areas, particularly in the West, where the capital Port-au-Prince is located.
Lieutenant-General Derby Guerrier, Commander-in-Chief of Haiti's Armed Forces, is on a one-week visit to Benin, where he met with General Fructueux Gbaguidi, Benin's Chief of General Staff, on November 3, 2026. The meeting aimed to explore possibilities of cooperation between the two countries' militaries. Guerrier emphasized the need for trained officers to lead new recruits in Haiti's army.
Haiti's army was demobilized in 1995 and remobilized in 2018 but struggles to reconstitute its capabilities due to the lack of a functioning military academy. Guerrier expressed his desire for Benin's military schools to train young Haitian officers, citing the challenges of establishing a new academy in the current security context. General Gbaguidi responded positively to this proposal, offering to train Haitian officers from basic levels to staff officer levels.
The two military leaders also discussed the possibility of Benin's involvement in an international operation to help Haiti address its security crisis. Guerrier expressed hope that Benin could contribute to efforts to restore security in Haiti but acknowledged that some aspects of such an operation were beyond his control. Gbaguidi, too, noted that any decision on military intervention would require approval from Benin's President.
General Gbaguidi emphasized that the relationship between Benin and Haiti goes beyond military cooperation, stating, "Haïti, c’est l’autre Bénin. Il n’y a que l’océan qui nous sépare" ("Haiti is the other Benin. Only the ocean separates us"). This visit aims to solidify the possibilities of durable cooperation between the two countries.
As part of his visit, Lieutenant-General Guerrier also met with officials at the Ministry of Defense and visited several locations, including Ouidah, the Dessa barracks in Toffo, Abomey, and Bembèrèkè. These meetings are expected to clarify the prospects of sustained cooperation between Benin and Haiti.
The training of Haitian military personnel appears to be a concrete area of cooperation, but any potential participation by Benin in an international operation remains subject to the decision of the relevant authorities. The discussions between Benin and Haiti mark a significant step towards addressing the security challenges in Haiti.
Key points
- Benin and Haiti discuss military cooperation to train Haitian officers.
- Haiti seeks help to address its severe security crisis.
- The two countries explore possibilities of sustained cooperation.
