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Because the audience is chattering, Macron himself ensures silence
It was supposed to be about culture and inspiration. But in the middle of the stage, Emmanuel Macron suddenly loses it: the French president grabs the microphone himself - and stops the babble of voices in the room.The incident took place at the "Africa Forward Summit" at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Emmanuel Macron interrupted the event when more and more conversations could be heard in the audience during a speech. What the French president then does - and how the room reacts to it - is currently causing a lot of discussion on social networks.More videos from the department
Kenya hosts France's Macron: Why the relationship matters to both ...
Kenya is hosting the Africa Forward 2026 summit in partnership with France, the first of its kind held outside a Francophone country.The summit, which brings together African leaders and business executives from across the continent and beyond, has sparked criticism at home and abroad.Since President William Ruto took office, Kenya has opened itself up to partnerships with Western countries, positioning itself as the most stable and accessible country in the region.However, France’s colonial past continues to haunt Paris as it has lost influence in several former colonies in West Africa.In response, French President Emmanuel Macron turned to Kenya, a country known for its openness to European investment.So, what are the benefits and losses for either side of the Kenya-France partnership?Defence cooperationFrance and Kenya signed a defence cooperation agreement in April 2026. It was preceded by the arrival of 800 French troops in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa for a joint training exercise with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).After the agreement’s signing, critics warned that Kenya could risk falling under the influence of a neo-colonial power, citing France’s history of unequal partnerships in West Africa.The automatic five-year renewable deal includes partnerships in maritime security, intelligence, peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. France has already deployed 600 military personnel to Kenya, with officials saying they will provide training for KDF personnel.The agreement grants French forces diplomatic-style immunity in Kenya and requires disputes to be resolved through diplomatic channels rather than Kenyan courts.It also allows convicted French personnel to serve sentences in France and gives Paris primary jurisdiction over offences committed by its soldiers on Kenyan soil.Critics say the agreement favours France over Kenya and secures Paris’s strategic interests in the Western Indian Ocean, a key region for global shipping lanes, military positioning, and counterterrorism operations.They have also warned that while Kenya has quickly ratified defence cooperation agreements with five countries, China, Zimbabwe, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, and France, it could risk coming under the influence of neo-colonial powers, which may interfere in its economic and political affairs and significantly undermine the country’s sovereignty.France has also been accused of undermining African leaders, with Macron facing condemnation after ...
"C'est un manque de respect": Emmanuel Macron s'énerve sur ... - BFMTV
Lors du sommet "Africa Forward", Emmanuel Macron, passablement agacé, a interrompu une conférence consacrée à la culture afin de réclamer le silence dans l'assemblée.
Why Nairobi Africa-France summit bears the hallmarks of Macron and Ruto ...
By transcending the classic divide between French and British Africa, Nairobi can present itself as a continental leader and as a diplomacy city. History of the relationship between France and Kenya
