A solemn ceremony took place on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 at the Cotonou Air Base to mark the departure of Air Army General Bertin Bada from active duty. Military honours, a flag salute, and a troop review highlighted the farewell to the highest-ranking officer in the Beninese armed forces.
After 43 years of service, the general officially ended his military career. The event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Fructueux Gbaguidi, and the Delegate Minister for National Defence, Gildas Agonkan. Both praised a career defined by discipline and dedication.
Elevated to the rank of five-star general on 9 February 2026, Bertin Bada was subsequently appointed defence and security adviser to President Romuald Wadagni. He had also previously served as director of the military cabinet under former President Patrice Talon.
Now 63 years old, General Bada leaves the institution after an intense career, marked by a personal tragedy during the attempted coup of 7 December 2025, when he lost his wife.
