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' allegedly paid to help them illegally cross to Zimbabwe was also detained.
Seba, 45, is recognized for opposing French influence in Africa and has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda. '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 Africa's police stated.
The individual who assisted Seba and his son received approximately 250,000 South African rand (about $15,000) to help them cross the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe, with the aim of continuing to Europe. They remain in police custody after appearing in court on Wednesday, with plans for Seba's extradition underway.
Seba has not commented on the allegations. Born in France to Beninese parents, he has gained notoriety with over 1.5 million followers online. He leads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency, which focuses on themes of African sovereignty and solidarity.
Seba has faced legal challenges in France due to charges of inciting racial hatred and is often accused of anti-Semitism. He was stripped of his French citizenship in 2024 and publicly burned his passport in protest. Connections to Russian influence in West Africa have also marked his political trajectory, as military leaders in countries such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have shifted their alliances towards Russia, distancing themselves from France following the coup attempt in Benin on December 7, 2023.
He was arrested on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son in a sting operation at a shopping centre in Pretoria. A 'facilitator' allegedly paid to help them illegally cross to Zimbabwe was also detained.
Seba, 45, is recognized for opposing French influence in Africa and has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda. '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 Africa's police stated.
The individual who assisted Seba and his son received approximately 250,000 South African rand (about $15,000) to help them cross the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe, with the aim of continuing to Europe. They remain in police custody after appearing in court on Wednesday, with plans for Seba's extradition underway.
Seba has not commented on the allegations. Born in France to Beninese parents, he has gained notoriety with over 1.5 million followers online. He leads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency, which focuses on themes of African sovereignty and solidarity.
Seba has faced legal challenges in France due to charges of inciting racial hatred and is often accused of anti-Semitism. He was stripped of his French citizenship in 2024 and publicly burned his passport in protest. Connections to Russian influence in West Africa have also marked his political trajectory, as military leaders in countries such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have shifted their alliances towards Russia, distancing themselves from France following the coup attempt in Benin on December 7, 2023.
