On September 30, a ceremony was held at the Cotonou naval base to mark the farewell to arms of Counter Admiral Fernand Maxime Ahoyo, Maritime Prefect of Benin. The event was attended by high-ranking military officials, agents of the Beninese Armed Forces, and close associates of the officer, with Minister of National Defense Gildas Agonkan presiding. Ahoyo's retirement marks the end of over four decades of military service.
Ahoyo's military journey began on August 1, 1985, when he joined the Popular Beninese Armed Forces. He graduated as major from the Interarms Certificate and later from the entrance exam to the Naval School. His naval training continued in Brest, France, from 1986 to 1988. In 1991, he participated in the Daguet and Artimon missions during the first Gulf War on board a French Navy aviso.
Throughout his career, Ahoyo held various positions, including Director of Operations and Commander of the patrol boat Le Patriote. He became commander of the vessel in October 1993. From 1994 to 2000, he pursued studies in Germany, earning an electrical engineering degree from the German Federal Forces University in Munich.
Upon his return, Ahoyo took on several responsibilities, including Deputy Director and Director of the Naval Forces Workshops. In 2002, he was appointed Head of Operations and Commander of the Cotonou Naval Base. He also served as a military observer in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).
Ahoyo's career highlights include serving as Commander of the Naval Forces from 2005 and later as Technical Advisor to the Minister of National Defense. He was appointed Maritime Prefect in 2015, a position he held for over ten years. He was promoted to Counter Admiral in 2024 and has received several honors, including the National Order of Benin and the French National Defense Medal.
Reflecting on his career, Ahoyo expressed gratitude and said that he was born for the sea. He emphasized that his experience should serve as an inspiration to younger officers. Minister Agonkan praised Ahoyo's service, noting that his departure marks the closure of a library of experience that can be reopened when needed.
Ahoyo assured the nation of his availability to share his expertise whenever required. He encouraged young officers to draw from his experiences and emphasized the importance of discipline, competence, and a sense of duty in their careers. With his retirement, Ahoyo's legacy becomes part of Benin's recent maritime history.
Key points
- Counter Admiral Fernand Maxime Ahoyo retires after 40 years of military service
- Ahoyo's career included various positions in the Beninese Armed Forces and international missions
- Ahoyo's legacy and experience will continue to inspire younger officers
