South African authorities have arrested pan-African activist Kemi Seba, who is wanted in Benin on charges of inciting rebellion after he publicly supported a failed coup in December. Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, was detained alongside his 18-year-old son and a third man at a shopping mall in Pretoria on Monday. The third man is accused of being paid to help them enter Zimbabwe illegally, from where they planned to travel to Europe.
All three appeared briefly in court on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and violating South Africa’s Immigration Act. Police said preliminary investigations indicate Seba is a fugitive in both France and Benin, accused of crimes against the state. The case was postponed until 20 April, and the trio remain in custody as extradition proceedings begin.
Benin issued an international arrest warrant for Seba on 12 December, shortly after he voiced support for mutinous soldiers who claimed to have overthrown President Patrice Talon. In a video posted following the attempted coup, Seba declared it “the day of liberation” for Benin. The coup attempt was swiftly thwarted by the Beninese army with assistance from Nigeria and France.
Seba, a prominent figure in pan-Africanist circles, leads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency and commands a following of 1.5 million on social media. Known for his vocal criticism of France and African governments aligned with Paris, he was stripped of his French nationality in 2024. He openly backs military juntas that have seized power through coups in the Sahel region.
The arrests highlight ongoing tensions between activists challenging France’s influence in Africa and governments seeking to maintain stability. Seba’s detention also underscores the legal and diplomatic complexities surrounding extradition cases involving politically charged charges.
