Military Zone No. 7: Colonel Mouhamadou Abdoulaye Sylla, known as "Hercules," the journey of an exceptional officer

From the rank of private in 1993 to head of Military Zone No. 7 in Thiès, Colonel Mohamadou Abdoulaye Sylla embodies the excellence of the Senegalese Armed Forces. Nicknamed "Hercules," this infantry officer with a strong academic background has distinguished himself both on the national battlefield, with commandos and at headquarters, and internationally within elite United Nations missions. A portrait of a man of action and strategy with an exemplary career.

Colonel Mohamadou Abdoulaye Sylla, nicknamed "Hercules," is the new commander of Military Zone No. 7, based in Thiès. An infantry officer, he belongs to that generation of Senegalese military leaders whose careers are marked by constant progression through the ranks, operational responsibilities, a solid academic background, and several international missions, notably under the auspices of the United Nations.

From the rank of soldier to command responsibilities

Colonel Sylla's military career began on September 1, 1993, the date he enlisted as a private. Trained in the 23rd Company, 4th Section, he began his service with the 12th Battalion. After completing his mandatory service, he was promoted to corporal before attending the Armed Forces School in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. There, he met, among others, Colonel Alex Vaz, who is now Senegal's defense attaché in South Africa.

His progression continued over the years. In 1998, he became a section leader in the 12th Training Battalion, before joining the 3rd Infantry Battalion in 2000 as a section leader.

In 2001, he undertook his first international mission with the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), where he served as deputy unit commander. Upon returning to Senegal, in 2002, he took command of the 22nd Company of the 12th Training Battalion.

Between July 2003 and July 2005, he commanded the 1st company of the Commando Battalion. He then continued his career through several positions of responsibility, notably as garrison commander of Kédougou and head of the Toubacouta Tactical Training Center.

In Thiès, he also directed the Captain Mbaye Diagne Tactical Training Centre from 2014 to 2016. In July 2017, he took command of the 12th Training Battalion as commanding officer, a position he held until July 2019.

A diverse military and academic background

Colonel Mohamadou Abdoulaye Sylla's career path also includes a training program that took him to Senegal, Ivory Coast, Canada and the United States.

After attending the Armed Forces School in Bouaké, he completed an infantry section leader training course with the US Marine Corps. He continued his advanced training at the Infantry Training School in Thiès, where he attended the unit commander training course, before undertaking a staff course in Canada.

His curriculum also includes higher education in the United States, notably at the US Army War College, in the field of joint senior command, as well as training at a war college.

On the academic front, the officer holds a bachelor's degree in English from Gaston-Berger University in Saint-Louis and a master's degree in strategic security. He also holds a diploma from the Higher Military Education program, obtained at a war college.

From the general staff to the international stage

Beyond commanding units, Colonel Sylla held several strategic positions within the Senegalese military institution. He notably served as chief of staff to the Chief of Staff of the Army, deputy officer and head of the operations and training office within the 26th and 24th BRA, before serving as division chief at the Army headquarters.

In January 2020, he became a group instructor at the staff course. Between August 2021 and July 2022, he headed the operations division of the Army staff's employment chain.

In August 2022, he joined Military Zone No. 7 as Deputy Operations Officer, a position he held until June 2023. This experience in the Thiès defense zone constitutes an important step before his departure for a new international mission.

In July 2023, Colonel Sylla was appointed Head of the Defence Sector Reform Office within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). He also served as Senior Military Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Somalia.

From November 1, 2024, he will continue his responsibilities within the framework of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), until August 20, 2026. This experience reinforces a career already marked by several engagements under the United Nations flag.

A career crowned with distinctions

The responsibilities exercised by Colonel Mohamadou Abdoulaye Sylla have earned him several national and international distinctions.

In Senegal, he is a Knight and Officer of the National Order of Merit. He also holds the Army Medal of Honour.

Internationally, his record includes several United Nations medals awarded for missions in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur, and Somalia. He has also received the French Defense Medal with silver star, the American Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal.

A new chapter at the head of Military Zone No. 7

With his appointment as head of Military Zone No. 7, Colonel Mohamadou Abdoulaye Sylla returns to a defense zone he already knows, having served there as deputy operations officer between 2022 and 2023.

From his early years as a soldier to his responsibilities within the United Nations, including commanding several units and holding staff positions, his career path reflects a diverse career in service to the Senegalese Armed Forces.

Now in command of Military Zone No. 7, the colonel nicknamed "Hercules" begins a new stage in his career, with experience in the field, command and international military cooperation.

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