On November 4, 2026, the Council of Ministers of Benin held a session during which several key appointments were made to various positions within the country's administration and public institutions. These appointments reflect the government's efforts to reorganize and possibly inject new dynamism into its operations. The appointments span across different sectors, including the presidency, armed forces, ministries, and several public structures.
In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several ambassadors have been appointed. Notably, Yacoubou AMADOU has been appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Benin to the Republic of Niger, while Malik Abdoul Gomina SEIBOU IDRISSOU takes on the same role for the Federation of Russia. Additionally, Eusèbe AGBANGLA has been appointed as a technical advisor charged with social dialogue and political affairs, and Dave DASSI as a technical advisor on artificial intelligence.
The Ministry of Interior and Public Security has also seen significant appointments. Yaïwa Blaise TCHETCHAO, Marcel Bonaventure OROU FICO, Fataï Aboudou FADEYI, Rock GNANSOUNOU, and Jean-Marie ANIGLE have been appointed as chargés de mission at the traditional chefferie alongside prefects in various regions. Furthermore, Sabi Daouda DRAMANE and Audrey Kouessi FANGNON have been appointed as technical advisors for interior affairs and artificial intelligence, respectively.
In the defense sector, General Abou ISSA has been appointed as the Chief of General Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces. Other notable appointments in the military include Colonel André DOKOUI FOFO as Chief of Staff of the Army, Colonel Hervé Sètondji ALLOITCHENOU as Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Capitaine de vaisseau major Dossa HOUNKPATIN as Chief of Staff of the Navy. Several other high-ranking officers have been appointed to various positions within the armed forces.
The education sector has also witnessed new appointments. Richard Venance GANDAHO has been appointed as the Director of Cabinet at the Ministry of Secondary Education, while Pacôme GBEDINHESSI and Olawalé Amos OLAOSSI take on roles as technical advisors. In the Ministry of Maternal and Primary Education, Ahmed Sacca Yérima YAROU has been appointed as the Director of Cabinet, with Gbètoho Albert BOCO, Bernard-Marie ONZO, and Zakari BOUKARY among others taking on various advisory roles.
The healthcare and digital transformation sectors have also seen new appointments. Béranger GUEDOU has been appointed as the Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation at the Ministry of Health. In the digital sector, Farell FOLLY and Aristide ADJINACOU have been appointed as Directors General of the National Agency for Cybersecurity and Resilience and the Agency for Information Systems and Digital Technology, respectively.
Other notable appointments include Damien MAMA as Minister and Secretary Permanent of the National Committee for the Steering of Territorial Development Poles, and General Ahodénongn Candide Fructueux GBAGUIDI as Secretary Permanent of the National Council for Defense and Security. These appointments aim to strengthen the institutional framework and enhance governance across various sectors in Benin.
Key points
- The Beninese government has made a series of strategic appointments across various ministries and public institutions.
- These appointments cover key sectors such as defense, education, foreign affairs, and healthcare.
- The move is seen as part of efforts to enhance governance and institutional effectiveness in Benin.
