Benin: Romuald Wadagni appoints a woman to coordinate his close security.
The President of the Republic, Romuald Wadagni, made a strong move in the early days of his term by entrusting the coordination of his close security to Captain Elvire Toupé.
A battle-hardened officer of the Republican Guard, she becomes the very first woman to hold the position of aide-de-camp to a head of state in contemporary Benin, and also across the entire West African sub-region.
Her notable presence at the front row during the very first Council of Ministers of the seven-year term, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, marks a clear break from the institutional tradition that often relegated women officers to support roles.
Far from being a mere honorary measure or a symbolic gesture, this presidential choice affirms a journey of excellence within a structurally male institution. The role of aide-de-camp indeed requires iron discipline, constant vigilance, and absolute mastery of protection procedures.
On a daily basis, Captain Toupé will have the heavy responsibility of providing direct assistance to the head of state and managing the entire security apparatus surrounding him, whether during his audiences at the Marina Palace or during his official trips in Benin and abroad.
This appointment resonates uniquely with the military history of the country, reminding us of the legendary Agojie, the elite warrior women who once ensured the protection of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Abomey. By awakening this powerful symbol, the new regime demonstrates its commitment to translating the promotion of gender equality into concrete actions at the highest levels of the state apparatus.
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