Six musicians from the Gangbé Brass Band and their families received an obligation to leave French territory, known as an OQTF, on 15 July 2026. This administrative order requires the group members to depart France following the expiration of their legal residency status. The musicians, who are originally from Cotonou in Bénin, have been based in the Finistère region. The decision impacts the performers and their relatives directly, as they must now organize their exit from the country. Local authorities issued the notice to the ensemble, which has been a prominent fixture in the cultural life of Douarnenez and Rennes. The band members are currently assessing their legal options regarding the mandatory departure order.
Band History and Residency
Gangbé Brass Band formed in 1994 in Cotonou, Bénin. The musicians have resided in France since 2022 under a 'passeport talent' visa. Three of the group members currently live in Douarnenez, a town located in the Finistère department. Reflecting on their residence, a member of the group stated, "depuis notre arrivée, on n’a jamais eu aucun problème." This period of residency allowed the ensemble to establish a presence within the local cultural landscape of the region. The group maintained this status until the recent issuance of the administrative orders requiring their departure. Their transition from Bénin to Europe marked a period of artistic activity that lasted until the expiration of their legal documentation.
Legal Challenges and Appeals
Ebenezer and Prosper, two musicians from the Gangbé Brass Band, attempted to challenge their mandatory departure orders through a référé, a type of summary proceeding used to contest administrative decisions. The court rejected this legal request in August 2026, maintaining the obligation for the performers to leave France. Following this initial setback, legal counsel for the group continues to pursue formal avenues of recourse against the state’s decision.
The administrative tribunal of Rennes scheduled a formal hearing to examine a broader legal appeal on behalf of the musicians. This session is set to take place on 19 November 2026. The tribunal will review the documentation and arguments presented by the ensemble in their effort to overturn the administrative orders that currently mandate their exit from the country.
In parallel with these judicial proceedings, advocates for the band launched a petition to request the abrogation of the OQTF. The petition organizers argue that the enforcement of these orders creates significant disruptions for the ensemble's professional commitments. According to the document, the musicians face over thirty threatened concert cancellations if they are forced to leave before their scheduled performances. The petition serves as a public campaign to support the band’s request for the revocation of the departure notices, noting the impact of the administrative action on their ongoing artistic career.