By Emmanuel Nduka
Pan-African activist and prominent leader, Kémi Séba (born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo-Chichi), has formally declared his candidacy for the 2026 presidential elections in Benin, scheduled for April.
In a powerful ten-minute video posted on January 5, Séba sharply criticized the administration of President Patrice Talon, accusing it of stifling local businesses while favoring foreign enterprises. The activist-turned-politician expressed frustration over what he sees as an increasingly hostile political and economic climate in Benin.
Under the country’s electoral code, candidates must secure the endorsement of at least 28 elected officials to run for president, making independent candidacies impossible. In response, Séba laid out three potential avenues for overcoming these legal hurdles:
1. Seeking Opposition Support: Séba plans to gain backing from the opposition party Les Démocrates, led by former president Boni Yayi, which has the necessary endorsements to field a candidate.
2. Electoral Reform Campaign: Should the first option fail, Séba aims to rally a broad coalition to push for a reform of the electoral code, which he describes as “corrupt” and designed to block genuine opposition figures.
3. Operation Jericho: The most ambitious of his strategies, Séba’s “Operation Jericho” would involve mass mobilization, protests, and key actions from critical stakeholders to reclaim political power for the people.
Benin’s 2026 elections will include presidential, legislative, and municipal races, with candidates required to submit applications by October 2025. As President Talon nears the end of his second and final term, he has repeatedly stated that he will not seek a constitutional amendment to extend his presidency.
