Maj. Gen. Abou Issa

Chief of Staff of the Land Forces, Armed Forces of the Republic of Benin

Prior to serving as the Chief of Staff of the Land Forces, he served as the first Chief of Staff of the National Guard of Benin. Issa also served as the deputy Chief of Staff of the Land Forces from 2016 to  2021 and then Director of Military Material in 2016. He spent four years consecutively as Land Division Chief of the Military Cabinet, Deputy Director of the Military Cabinet, and Director of Military cabinet of the President of the Republic from 2012 to 2016. Prior to his nomination at the presidential Palace, Issa served as the Commander of the Prytanea Military School in Bembereke from 2007 to 2011, Commander of the Presidential Guard (2006) and Commander of the 1st Material Battalion. He got incorporated in the army on 1st October 1986 and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier Général on April 1, 2022. Issa became the Chief of Staff of the Land Forces on April 12, 2022. 

He received his Baccalaureat from Prytanea Military School of Saint-Louis in Senegal (1986). Issa has also received significant military education abroad, War College (2012) in Beijing- China, Chief of Section Diploma (1990) in Antsirabe-Madagascar and staff Diploma (2007) at the Porto Novo Senior Officers school. 

Issa has received several decorations in Benin, France and in China.