Benin military history: first woman named presidential aide-de-camp

The President of Bénin, Romuald Wadagni, has appointed Captain Elvire Toupé as aide-de-camp to the presidential office—a groundbreaking decision in the nation’s institutional history.

This landmark appointment places a female officer at the forefront of the presidential security apparatus, marking a significant stride in gender representation within Bénin’s military leadership.

Born on July 21, 1990, in Porto-Novo, Captain Elvire Toupé has built a reputation for military discipline and academic excellence. She is a graduate of the first-ever cohort of the Enfants de troupe program at the Lycée militaire des jeunes filles Général Mathieu Kérékou in Natitingou.

Following her military training at the École nationale des officiers in Toffo from 2012 to 2014, she earned her infantry section leader certification. In addition to her military credentials, she holds a degree in medical imaging and briefly worked in the healthcare sector before dedicating herself fully to her military career.

Promoted to the rank of captain in 2021, she is now recognized as the highest-ranking female officer in Bénin’s infantry forces.

Her professional background extends beyond Bénin’s borders. Trained at the Caribbean Institute for Professional Military Education in Jamaica, she served as a gender military advisor within the MINUSMA mission from 2017 to 2018. Fluent in both French and English, she joined the Garde républicaine in 2022, where she previously held the position of security chief for the Court of Auditors.