Benin defence minister receives Haitian army chief
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Matin Libre
Benin's Defence Minister Delegate, Gildas Habib B. Agonkan, received the chief of Haiti's armed forces, Lieutenant-General Derby Guerrier. The first visit by a Haitian army chief of staff to Benin since Haiti's army was remobilised in 2018 is intended to promote bilateral defence and security cooperation, according to Matin Libre.
Benin's Minister Delegate to the President, responsible for national defence, Gildas Habib B. Agonkan, received Lieutenant-General Derby Guerrier, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti, in Cotonou on Tuesday 3 November 2026. Guerrier was on an official working visit to Benin, Matin Libre reported. The Haitian military chief was accompanied by Dominique Brutus, Haiti's chargé d'affaires in Benin, and a delegation of senior officers.
The visit was the first by a Haitian army chief of staff to Benin since the remobilisation of the Armed Forces of Haiti in 2018. The two officials discussed shared defence and security issues as the Haitian army seeks to regain control of the territory from armed gangs.
Derby Guerrier, who was appointed head of the Haitian armed forces in August 2024, requested Beninese expertise in defence, training and operational response. He particularly wants to send young Haitians to the Beninese military academy, according to remarks reported by Matin Libre.
