Pan-Africanist activist Kémi Séba declared his candidacy for Benin’s April 2026 presidential election in a video released on January 5.
As the leader of “Urgences Panafricanistes,” Séba criticized President Patrice Talon’s administration for deepening inequalities and prioritizing foreign interests over local development. He proposed three strategies for his bid: securing a nomination from the opposition party Les Démocrates, forming a coalition to challenge electoral rules, or leading “Operation Jericho,” a public mobilization campaign.
With presidential, legislative, and municipal elections slated for 2026, the announcement adds momentum to Benin’s political landscape ahead of candidate submissions in October 2025.
