Wanted activist arrested in South Africa over support for Benin coup plot

South African police have arrested Kemi Seba, a French-born Beninese activist wanted in Benin for "inciting rebellion" related to last year’s failed coup attempt. Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, was detained in Pretoria alongside his 18-year-old son during a sting operation while allegedly trying to flee to Europe via Zimbabwe. Authorities also arrested a facilitator who was paid approximately 250,000 South African rand ($15,000) to assist their illegal border crossing. Seba and the others remain in custody as extradition proceedings are underway. Seba is a controversial figure known for his outspoken opposition to French influence in Africa and his support for West African military juntas. He has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda and has a history of legal issues in France, including convictions for inciting racial hatred and anti-Semitism. In 2024, Seba was stripped of his French citizenship, a move he described as liberation from the "burden of French nationality." He also holds a diplomatic passport from Niger, where he serves as a special adviser to the military junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani. The arrest comes amid heightened tensions in West Africa, where military coups and political instability have increased. The attempted coup in Benin last December was quickly suppressed with assistance from Nigeria and France. Seba had publicly supported the mutinying soldiers, further complicating his legal and political status. His supporters claim the arrest is politically motivated, aiming to silence a prominent pan-African voice critical of Western influence. Seba’s case highlights the broader geopolitical struggles in the region, where military regimes in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from France and sought closer ties with Russia. The incident underscores ongoing challenges related to sovereignty, foreign influence, and the role of activist figures in shaping political narratives across Africa.