Diplomacy: the United Kingdom appoints a new ambassador accredited to Benin
The United Kingdom now has a new ambassador accredited to Benin. He is Robert John Marshall, a career diplomat whose official residence is in Abidjan.
On Friday, October 31, 2025, he presented the copies of his letters of credence to Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This ceremony marks the official start of his duties in Benin, pending the presentation of his letters of credence to the President of the Republic.
During their one-on-one meeting, the two officials expressed their shared desire to strengthen economic and trade relations between their countries.
“We have the same ambition: to intensify our economic and trade ties,” Robert John Marshall said at the end of the meeting.
The British diplomat gave a positive assessment of cooperation between London and Cotonou, which he described as ‘very satisfactory’.
He recalled his country’s commitment to support Benin through financial backing from UK Export Finance, public investments in the Beninese private sector, as well as British participation in multilateral initiatives such as the Gavi Alliance for vaccination or the global funds to fight malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
The United Kingdom also contributes to the African Development Fund, thereby consolidating its presence in the economic and health sectors in Benin.
Before his appointment in 2024 as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, with jurisdiction over Benin, Robert John Marshall had served in diplomatic posts in Senegal, Guinea, Luxembourg and within the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 1988. His international experience and command of several languages are an asset for his mission in West Africa.
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