South African authorities have apprehended French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba, a prominent figure wanted by Benin for allegedly inciting rebellion related to a failed coup attempt last year. Seba, whose legal name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, was arrested in a sting operation at a Pretoria shopping center on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son and an alleged facilitator.
Police stated that Seba was attempting to flee to Europe via Zimbabwe when he was detained. "Preliminary investigations have revealed that the father is allegedly a wanted fugitive in France and Benin for criminal activities relating to crimes against the state," South African police said in a statement. The facilitator had reportedly been paid approximately 250,000 South African rand to help them cross the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe.
Seba, 45, leads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency and has amassed 1.5 million followers online. He is known for his vocal opposition to French influence in Africa and his support for West African military leaders. He has faced previous legal challenges, including convictions in France for inciting racial hatred and accusations of anti-Semitism. In 2024, he was stripped of his French citizenship and publicly burned his passport in response.
"It's an attempt to scare a prominent pan-African voice. We will fight this until Mr. Seba would be released," said Sayia Moudongo from a diaspora association in Paris, characterizing the arrest as politically motivated.
The arrest is connected to events in December when mutinying soldiers in Benin claimed to have overthrown the president. The coup was foiled within hours with assistance from Nigeria and France. Seba had posted a video declaring it "the day of liberation" for his country, leading Benin to issue an international warrant for his arrest.
Seba has also been accused of spreading Russian propaganda. Thomas Gassilloud, former chairman of France's National Assembly defence committee, labeled him a mouthpiece "for Russian propaganda" serving "a foreign power that fuels anti-French sentiment." Notably, Seba was granted a Niger diplomatic passport in 2024, designating him a "special adviser" to junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The activist and his son appeared in court on Wednesday and remain in police custody. Their case has been postponed to April 20, with extradition proceedings underway. Seba has not publicly commented on the allegations against him.