Beninese Activist Kemi Seba Freed in France

Beninese activist Kemi Seba has been released from custody in France after facing charges related to anti-French protests. His release has sparked discussions about activism and freedom of expression.

“Those who want to dim our light will have to wait,” announced activist Kemi Seba on Thursday, October 17, as he revealed that he had regained his freedom.

A Beninese individual in his forties was held for nearly four days at the headquarters of France’s interior security agency (DGSI) in Paris.

During a press conference on Wednesday, October 16, Seba’s lawyer Juan Branco stated that his client was being interrogated as part of an investigation into two allegations: “collusion with a foreign power […] aimed at promoting hostility or acts of aggression against France,” and “maintaining ties with a foreign power […] potentially harmful to the fundamental interests of the nation.”

Both offenses carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison.

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According to the French newspaper Le Monde, Seba, whose birth name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is not facing prosecution at this time.

The media outlet referenced the Paris public prosecutor’s office.

Seba, a vocal critic of neo-colonialism in Africa, was taken into custody on Monday (Oct. 14) while having lunch with a colleague at a restaurant.

Branco criticized what he described as a “violent arrest.”

Urgences Panafricatistes, the organization founded by Seba, stated that the Beninese national was in Paris to visit an ill relative and conduct meetings with members of the Beninese opposition.

He was arrested along with his close ally, Hery Djehuty, who was also freed.

Seba, a native of France, had his nationality revoked last July.

Years ago, he relocated with his wife and children to West Africa after moving out of the country.