Chabi Yayi, son of former Beninese president and opposition leader Thomas Boni Yayi, has been arrested by security operatives in Benin Republic, relatives said on Sunday, amid ongoing investigations into a recent foiled coup attempt.
According to family sources, Chabi Yayi was arrested at his residence in the early hours of Sunday. No official reason was given for the arrest, and it remains unclear whether it is connected to the failed coup attempt reported last week.
“At this time, we don’t know what he is accused of,” a relative told AFP. Another close associate, who is a member of the Democrats party led by Thomas Boni Yayi, said it was not yet clear whether the arrest was linked to the events of the aborted coup.
The development comes days after Beninese authorities announced the foiling of a coup attempt on December 7. Since then, several arrests have been made, including that of former defence minister and opposition figure Candide Azannai.
Azannai was reportedly placed in police custody on allegations of conspiracy against the authority of the state and incitement to rebellion.
Former president Thomas Boni Yayi had earlier condemned the coup attempt in a video address released two days after the incident.
Meanwhile, Beninese authorities have issued an international arrest warrant against pan-Africanist activist and influencer Kemi Seba for alleged incitement to rebellion over his public support for the coup attempt, which he described as Benin’s “day of liberation.”
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In a video response released on Sunday, Seba said he had taken precautions following the issuance of the warrant but did not disclose his current location. “You can never stop us,” he said, adding that he would continue his activism.
Kemi Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is the head of the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency and is known for his anti-Western and anti-French positions. Born Franco-Beninese, he was stripped of his French nationality in 2024 and currently travels on a passport issued by Niger’s military government.
Authorities said several suspects involved in the failed coup, including its alleged leader, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, remain at large as investigations continue.