South African police have arrested 'wanted fugitive' French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Europe through Zimbabwe.
Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is wanted in Benin on charges of inciting rebellion after supporting last year's foiled coup there.
He was arrested on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son in a sting operation at a shopping centre in Pretoria. A facilitator who allegedly aided their escape attempt was also detained.
Seba, 45, is known for opposing French influence in Africa, backing West Africa's military leaders, and has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Seba is wanted in both France and Benin for criminal activities related to crimes against the state, according to South African police.
Authorities stated that the individual who assisted Seba and his son was allegedly paid approximately 250,000 South African rand (around $15,000) to facilitate their illegal crossing into Zimbabwe, with plans to proceed to Europe.
After their court appearance on Wednesday, both Seba and his son remain in police custody, with their case set to continue on April 20, including plans for Seba's extradition.
Seba has not publicly commented on the allegations against him.
Born in France to Beninese parents, Seba leads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency, which advocates for African sovereignty and solidarity. He has a significant online presence with 1.5 million followers.
He has previously faced multiple sentences in France for inciting racial hatred and has been accused of anti-Semitism. In 2024, he was stripped of his French citizenship and publicly burned his passport in protest.
Seba is also associated with Russia's influence in West Africa, being regarded as a proponent of anti-French sentiment amidst military shifts in the region.
The attempted coup in Benin, which took place on December 7, was quickly thwarted with the assistance of France and Nigeria, following Seba's public declaration that it was the day of liberation for Benin, leading to an international arrest warrant issued against him.
