Arrest of Kemi Seba in South Africa
South African police have announced the arrest of French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba, described as a "wanted fugitive," while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Europe via Zimbabwe.
Seba, whose birth name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, faces charges in Benin for "inciting rebellion" following his support for a failed coup attempt in the country last year.
He was apprehended on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son during a sting operation at a shopping centre in Pretoria. Authorities also detained a "facilitator" who was reportedly paid to assist them in illegally crossing into Zimbabwe.
Background and Allegations
At 45 years old, Seba is known for his opposition to French influence in Africa and his support for West African military leaders. He has also been accused of disseminating Russian propaganda.
South African police stated on Thursday,
"Preliminary investigations have revealed that the father [Seba] is allegedly a wanted fugitive in France and Benin for criminal activities relating to crimes against the state."
They further disclosed that the individual who assisted Seba and his son had received approximately 250,000 South African rand (equivalent to $15,000 or £11,000) to facilitate their crossing of the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe, with the intention of continuing onward to Europe.
Following their arrest, Seba and his son remain in police custody. They appeared in court on Wednesday, and the case has been adjourned to 20 April. Plans for Seba's extradition are currently underway.
Seba has not issued any public comments regarding the allegations against him.
Personal and Political Profile
Born in France to Beninese parents, Seba is a prominent figure with an online following of approximately 1.5 million. He leads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency, which advocates for African sovereignty and solidarity.
He has previously been convicted in France multiple times for inciting racial hatred and faces frequent accusations of anti-Semitism.
In 2024, Seba was stripped of his French citizenship. In response, he publicly burned his French passport, stating that he had been
"freed from the burden of French nationality."
Thomas Gassilloud, who was then chairman of the National Assembly's defence committee, accused Seba of acting as a mouthpiece
"for Russian propaganda"and serving
"a foreign power that fuels anti-French sentiment,"according to the France24 news outlet.
In the same year, Seba was granted a diplomatic passport from Niger, designating him as a "special adviser" to the junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Regional Context and Coup Attempt in Benin
The military leaders who seized power in Niger, as well as those in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, have ceased military cooperation with France in combating Islamist militants. Instead, they have begun collaborating with Russia.
On 7 December, mutinying soldiers in Benin claimed to have overthrown the country's president. The attempted coup was suppressed within hours with assistance from Nigeria and France.
Seba posted a video declaring the day as
"the day of liberation"for Benin.
Benin, a former French colony, subsequently issued an international arrest warrant for Seba due to his support for the failed coup.
Additional Information
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