Anti-colonial influencer arrested in South Africa over support for Benin coup attempt

South Africa Arrests Anti-Colonial Influencer Kemi Seba Over Alleged Support for Benin Coup Attempt

South African police have arrested French-born Beninese activist and influencer Kemi Seba in connection with an international investigation linked to an alleged coup attempt in Benin.

Authorities say Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, was detained in Pretoria on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son in a sting operation at a shopping centre. Police also arrested a third individual accused of assisting their attempted escape route toward Zimbabwe.

According to investigators, Seba was classified as a “wanted fugitive” in both Benin and France, facing allegations related to inciting rebellion and crimes against the state. He is accused of supporting a failed coup attempt in Benin last year.

Police allege the group was attempting to leave South Africa illegally by crossing into Zimbabwe, with the final intention of travelling onward to Europe. Officials say the alleged facilitator was reportedly paid around 250,000 rand (about $15,000) to help them cross the Limpopo River.

Seba, 45, is a well-known pan-African activist with a large online following and a long history of controversial political activism. He has frequently criticised French influence in Africa and has expressed support for military-led governments in parts of West Africa.

South African police said preliminary findings indicate that Seba is also wanted in France on separate allegations involving crimes against the state. He and his co-accused remain in custody after appearing in court, with the case postponed to 20 April as extradition proceedings are considered.

Seba has not publicly responded to the latest allegations.

Supporters of the activist have strongly rejected the arrest, claiming it is politically motivated and aimed at silencing a prominent pan-African voice. They argue that his detention reflects broader tensions over African sovereignty and foreign influence on the continent.

However, Seba remains a highly controversial figure internationally. He has previously been convicted in France for inciting racial hatred and has faced repeated accusations of spreading extremist and anti-Western narratives. In 2024, he was stripped of his French citizenship after years of legal disputes.

Following that decision, he publicly burned his French passport, stating that he considered himself “freed” from French nationality.

Critics, including French political figures, have accused him of acting as a conduit for foreign propaganda and amplifying anti-French sentiment, allegations he has consistently denied.

Seba also holds ties to military governments in parts of West Africa and was previously granted a diplomatic passport by Niger’s junta leadership, where he was named a special adviser.

His arrest comes amid heightened regional tensions following failed coup attempts in West Africa, including an incident in Benin where mutinying soldiers briefly claimed to have overthrown the government before the attempt was quickly suppressed with support from regional allies.

Authorities in Benin subsequently issued an international arrest warrant for Seba after he publicly appeared to support the attempted takeover, including posting messages describing it as a “day of liberation.”

South African authorities say extradition procedures are now under review as investigations continue into the alleged escape plot and international connections linked to the case.