Military summit in Cotonou: Key takeaways from the discussions between the heads of the armed forces of Benin, France, and Ivory Coast

Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin, hosted a high-level trilateral summit yesterday, Thursday, March 19, 2026, bringing together the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of Benin (Fructueux Gbaguidi), Côte d'Ivoire (Lassina Doumbia), and France (Fabien Mandon). This meeting, which followed the inaugural tripartite session in Abidjan on July 18, 2025, allowed for an in-depth review of existing partnerships between the three countries and the development of concrete measures to strengthen trilateral operational cooperation against terrorism and cross-border threats facing the sub-region and the Gulf of Guinea.

Information and training

The three chiefs of staff discussed intelligence support, counter-IED operations (a set of military and intelligence operations aimed at detecting, neutralizing and preventing the use of improvised explosive devices), pilot training, special forces, personnel against disinformation, and the pooling of capabilities and enhanced strategic coordination.

They reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a united and resolutely operational front against terrorist infiltration, organized crime and hybrid threats.

Meeting held in the Togbin barracks

This meeting between the three chiefs of staff took place at the Togbin military base, a place that became famous after the failed coup of December 7, 2025.

Indeed, it was in this barracks that the mutineers had retreated after failing to seize the person of the head of state Patrice Talon.

At the end of this summit, the military officials and members of their delegation were received in audience by President Talon.