Pan-Africanist Kemi Seba arrested in Paris
Arrest in Paris after loss of French nationality
Beninese pan-Africanist activist Kemi Seba, known for his anti-Western positions, was arrested Monday in Paris. This arrest comes a few months after he was stripped of French nationality in July 2024. The information was confirmed Tuesday by a source close to the case, although the reason for the arrest has not yet been specified.
A controversial activist career
Born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, Kemi Seba became known as the leader of Tribu Ka, a small group advocating the separation of blacks and whites and claiming to be anti-Semitic. Dissolved by the French government in 2006, this organization earned Kemi Seba several convictions in France for inciting racial hatred. Today, he is the head of the Urgences panafricanistes movement and enjoys a large influence on social networks.
A Nigerien diplomatic passport despite tensions
Since August 2024, Kemi Seba has had a diplomatic passport issued by the military junta in power in Niger. He is a special advisor to General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the military regime in Niamey. This recognition comes after he himself announced the loss of his French nationality, which he considers an attempt to limit his travel and hinder his fight against neocolonialism.
Controversial Pan-Africanist Activism
In recent years, Kemi Seba has stepped up protests against the CFA franc, a currency he considers a symbol of economic colonialism. His actions have led to his expulsion or rejection from several African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Guinea. In France, he was accused in 2023 by MP Thomas Gassilloud of being a relay for Russian propaganda and of fueling anti-French sentiment in Africa.
Conclusion
Kemi Seba’s arrest in Paris comes amid tensions over his pan-Africanist positions and his virulent criticism of former colonial powers. Despite the loss of his French nationality, he continues to exert a notable influence on the pan-African scene, fueling debates on the economic and political independence of Africa. His detractors, however, accuse him of serving foreign interests and stirring up anti-French sentiment.
