Beninese activist Kémi Séba was arrested by French police in Paris on Monday while having lunch with a colleague at a restaurant. Séba is well-known for his vocal opposition to France’s influence in French-speaking West African countries.
The reasons behind his visit to France remain unclear, and no official statements have been made regarding his arrest.
Recently, Séba was appointed as an advisor to General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger’s military leader who took power in a coup in July 2023. Following the coup, Niger severed ties with Western nations and demanded the withdrawal of French, American, and German troops.
Séba entered France using a Nigerien diplomatic passport, which attracted the attention of authorities and led to his arrest.
As the founder of the group Urgences Panafricanistes, Séba has been a key figure in organizing protests against French dominance in the region. He gained further attention after publicly burning a CFA franc note, which he labeled a symbol of colonialism. Last year, he renounced his French nationality, and his citizenship was subsequently revoked.
His activism has resonated strongly, particularly among the youth in West Africa.
