Colonel Hicham Alaoui Ismaili, Defense Attaché at the Moroccan embassy overseeing Mali and Benin, with residence in Bamako, has been awarded the Order of National Defense by the Beninese military authorities during an official ceremony held in Cotonou on January 20, 2026.
The decoration was presented to Colonel Hicham Alaoui Ismaili by the Chief of the General Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces, Army Corps General Fructueux Gbaguidi, at a ceremony dedicated to recognising the work of military attachés accredited to Benin.
Several officers representing partner countries were also honoured, including defense attachés from the embassies of France, Belgium, the United States and Nigeria.
Based in Bamako, Colonel Hicham Alaoui Ismaili carries out his duties as part of Morocco’s defense diplomacy in West Africa, covering both Mali and Benin.
Since 2023, he has been involved in various official activities related to military cooperation, institutional exchanges and defense relations between Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and countries of the sub-region.
The decision to base the defense attaché in Bamako reflects the momentum of bilateral relations between Mali and Morocco, which are marked by long-standing cooperation in the military, security and training fields.
Mali thus serves as a central hub for Morocco’s diplomatic and military presence in West Africa, acting as a regional coordination base.
The distinction awarded to Colonel Alaoui Ismaili comes amid efforts to strengthen cooperation mechanisms among African states in response to shared security challenges, particularly in the areas of defense, regional stability and military coordination.
According to diplomatic sources, the honour is intended to acknowledge the commitment of defense attachés to fostering trust between partner armed forces, as well as their contribution to strengthening regional security dialogue.
The ceremony was attended by senior Beninese military officials, diplomatic representatives and members of the accredited military corps, highlighting the importance attached to interstate cooperation in an evolving security environment.
MD/sf/lb/as/APA