Benin's justice system has taken a decisive step in the repression following the attempted coup. This Friday, December 12, 2025, an international arrest warrant was issued for Kemi Seba , a pan-Africanist and openly anti-Western media figure.

The activist, of Beninese origin, faces serious charges including " justifying crimes against state security, inciting hatred, violence and rebellion ".

The Accusations Related to the Foiled Coup

Kemi Seba is specifically accused of having publicly supported the attempted coup that was foiled last Sunday (December 7).

1. A video circulating on social media shows him describing the mutineers as " patriotic soldiers ".
2. He also declared that the day of the failed uprising marked " the day of liberation " for the country.

The Activist Profile

Kemi Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi , is 44 years old and the founder of the NGO "Pan-African Emergencies".

1. He is known for his radical diatribes targeting France and African regimes considered to be allies of Paris.
2. A fierce opponent of President Patrice Talon , he was briefly detained in 2019 and 2023 during stays in Benin.
3. Born in France and Benin, he was stripped of his French nationality in 2024 and displays support for the military regimes of the Sahel, often hostile to France and close to Russia.
4. He enjoys a large online audience, with approximately 1.5 million followers on social media.

Wave of Arrests in the Opposition

The issuance of this arrest warrant comes amid heightened political tension, marked by several actions targeting opposition figures:

1. Sabi Sira Korogoné , another Beninese opposition figure, also claimed on Friday to be the subject of an arrest warrant in connection with this case.
2. Former Defense Minister and prominent opposition figure, Candide Azannaï , was arrested Friday in Cotonou .
3. Mr. Azannaï had nevertheless condemned the attempted coup of December 7, while publicly denouncing "sordid maneuvers to instrumentalize events (...) for the purpose of confiscating power".