President Romuald Wadagni of Bénin has made a landmark appointment, naming Captain Elvire Toupé as the presidential aide-de-camp. This historic decision marks a first in Bénin’s institutional history, placing a woman at the very heart of the nation’s close-protection security detail.
Born on July 21, 1990, in Porto-Novo, Captain Elvire Toupé boasts a distinguished career characterized by rigorous military discipline and outstanding academic achievement. She was a member of the inaugural class of ‘Enfants de troupe’ at the General Mathieu Kérékou Military High School for Young Girls in Natitingou, showcasing her early commitment to service.
Her foundational military training took place at the National School for Officers in Toffo between 2012 and 2014, where she earned her diploma as an infantry section chief. Demonstrating her diverse capabilities, Captain Toupé also holds a bachelor’s degree in medical imaging, a field in which she briefly practiced before fully dedicating herself to her military vocation.
In 2021, she achieved the rank of Captain, solidifying her position as the highest-ranking female infantry officer within the Béninese armed forces.
Captain Toupé’s professional expertise extends beyond national borders. She received specialized training at the Caribbean Institute for Professional Military Education in Jamaica and served with MINUSMA as a military gender advisor from 2017 to 2018, highlighting her international experience and commitment to diverse roles.
Fluent in both French and English, she joined the Republican Guard in 2022. Prior to her current appointment, she held the crucial responsibility of heading security for the Court of Auditors, further underscoring her extensive background in high-level security operations.