President Romuald Wadagni of Bénin has made a significant and historic appointment, naming Captain Elvire Toupé as the presidential aide-de-camp. This marks a groundbreaking moment in Bénin’s institutional history, as it is the first time a woman has held this esteemed position.

This landmark designation places a highly accomplished woman at the very core of the nation’s presidential security and operational framework.

Born on July 21, 1990, in Porto-Novo, Captain Elvire Toupé’s career has been distinguished by rigorous military discipline and outstanding academic achievement. She proudly belongs to the inaugural class of cadets from the General Mathieu Kérékou Military High School for Young Girls in Natitingou, demonstrating her early commitment to service.

Her extensive training includes graduating from the National Officers’ School of Toffo between 2012 and 2014, where she earned her diploma as an infantry section chief. Beyond her military prowess, Captain Toupé also holds a degree in medical imaging, a field in which she practiced for a period before fully dedicating herself to her military career.

Her dedication led to her promotion to Captain in 2021, solidifying her status as the most senior female officer within the Béninese infantry today.

Captain Toupé’s professional experience extends beyond national borders. She received specialized training at the Caribbean Institute for Professional Military Education in Jamaica and served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as a military gender advisor from 2017 to 2018.

Fluent in both French and English, she joined the Republican Guard in 2022, where she was previously responsible for security at the Court of Accounts, demonstrating her diverse expertise before this pivotal new role.