South African police have apprehended Kemi Seba, a 45-year-old Beninese activist, as he reportedly attempted to escape to Europe through Zimbabwe. Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is currently wanted in his native Benin for 'inciting rebellion' following his support for a failed coup in December 2024.
The police described Seba as a 'wanted fugitive' and arrested him in a shopping center in Pretoria, alongside his 18-year-old son, also detaining a 'facilitator' who allegedly assisted them in their escape plans. Sebastião's arrest adds to his complex history of opposing French influence in Africa, backing military leaders in West Africa, and accusations of spreading Russian propaganda.
South African authorities revealed preliminary investigations into Seba showed he is wanted for serious criminal activities related to state offenses in both France and Benin. The facilitator who aided Seba was reported to have been paid approximately 250,000 South African rand (around $15,000) for the alleged illegal crossing.
Currently, Seba and his son are in police custody following an appearance in court, with further proceedings scheduled for April 20 regarding their extradition. Seba has thus far remained silent on the allegations against him.
Seba, a notable figure with over 1.5 million online followers, is the head of the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency, advocating for African sovereignty. He has faced multiple convictions in France for inciting racial hatred and was stripped of his French citizenship in 2024, an act he protested by publicly burning his passport.
In December 2024, Seba supportively declared a coup attempt in Benin as a 'day of liberation,' which prompted an international warrant for his arrest when the coup was quickly foiled with assistance from Nigeria and France.
The police described Seba as a 'wanted fugitive' and arrested him in a shopping center in Pretoria, alongside his 18-year-old son, also detaining a 'facilitator' who allegedly assisted them in their escape plans. Sebastião's arrest adds to his complex history of opposing French influence in Africa, backing military leaders in West Africa, and accusations of spreading Russian propaganda.
South African authorities revealed preliminary investigations into Seba showed he is wanted for serious criminal activities related to state offenses in both France and Benin. The facilitator who aided Seba was reported to have been paid approximately 250,000 South African rand (around $15,000) for the alleged illegal crossing.
Currently, Seba and his son are in police custody following an appearance in court, with further proceedings scheduled for April 20 regarding their extradition. Seba has thus far remained silent on the allegations against him.
Seba, a notable figure with over 1.5 million online followers, is the head of the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency, advocating for African sovereignty. He has faced multiple convictions in France for inciting racial hatred and was stripped of his French citizenship in 2024, an act he protested by publicly burning his passport.
In December 2024, Seba supportively declared a coup attempt in Benin as a 'day of liberation,' which prompted an international warrant for his arrest when the coup was quickly foiled with assistance from Nigeria and France.
