Colonel Sètondji Allotchénou Appointed as New Chief of Benin's Air Force

Colonel Hervé Sètondji Allotchénou has taken over as the chief of staff of the Beninese Air Force, succeeding his predecessor in a major shakeup of the country's high command. The appointment was made on November 4, 2026, by President Romuald Wadagni and was formalized on November 12, 2026, at the Cotonou Air Base. This move is part of a broader restructuring of Benin's military leadership.

Colonel Allotchénou's military career began with his enrollment in the École de l'air de Salon-de-Provence in France in 1999, where he earned an aeronautical engineering certificate. He furthered his education with pilot training in Cognac and Avord. In 2006, he trained with the US Air Force, earning a distinction as an international officer for his achievements.

The new chief of staff of the Beninese Air Force has had a distinguished career, serving in various capacities. He has commanded the mixed transport squadron at Cotonou Air Base and led the operations division of the Air Force headquarters. Additionally, he has served as the commander of Cotonou Air Base. His international experience includes a stint with the United Nations mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from 2022 to 2023.

Before his appointment as chief of staff, Colonel Allotchénou held the position of deputy chief of staff of the Air Force, a role he assumed on February 2, 2024. His promotion to the top position in the Air Force is seen as part of a larger effort to revamp the military's leadership. Other appointments include General Abou Issa as the new chief of staff of the armed forces.

The recent appointments reflect a significant reshuffle in Benin's military command structure. Alongside Colonel Allotchénou, other new appointees include Colonel André Dokoui Fofo as the head of the land army, Captain Dossa Hounkpatin as the chief of the naval force, and Colonel-major Saturnin Obelakoun as the commander of the National Guard. These changes were announced following a Council of Ministers meeting.

Colonel Allotchénou's educational background includes a diploma from the Libreville Army Staff College in Gabon and a 2019 graduation from the Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr in Germany. His extensive training and experience make him well-suited for his new role. The new chief of staff has also been involved in planning future operations and studying military doctrine.

As the new chief of staff of the Beninese Air Force, Colonel Sètondji Allotchénou faces the task of leading the air force within the context of Benin's broader military and security objectives. His appointment, along with the other recent military leadership changes, underscores the government's efforts to strengthen and reorganize its armed forces.

Key points

• Colonel Sètondji Allotchénou was appointed as the new chief of staff of the Beninese Air Force on November 12, 2026.
• He has a background in aeronautical engineering and military pilot training from France and the US.
• His previous roles include commanding Cotonou Air Base and serving with the UN mission in Mali.