Pan-Africanist and Activist Kemi Seba Arrested in Paris

Kemi Seba, a prominent Beninese pan-Africanist known for his anti-Western views, was arrested in Paris on October 14. Seba, whose French nationality was revoked in July, is the leader of Urgences Panafricanistes. His birth name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, and he has faced multiple convictions in France for inciting racial hatred. The reason for his recent arrest has not yet been disclosed.

In July, French authorities stripped Seba of his nationality. In response, Seba announced in August that he had received a diplomatic passport from Niger, issued by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Seba, 42, publicly burned his French passport earlier this year but still holds Beninese nationality.

Seba is accused of acting as a Russian influence on the African continent, especially in Niger, where Russia's sway has grown. He also supported the creation of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—all of which have distanced themselves from ECOWAS. Seba's influence is amplified through social media, where he has a significant following.