Total lack of respect: Macron scolds 'noise-makers' at summit, faces backlash

Emmanuel Macron stopped the speakers at the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya's Nairobi and asked the audience to keep quiet. The intervention drew criticism online and cast attention on France's effort to reset ties with Africa.

In Short

• Emmanuel Macron calls disruption “total lack of respect” during speech
• Nairobi summit overshadowed by row over Macron’s public intervention
• Incident reignites debate over France’s changing ties with African nations

French President Emmanuel Macron sparked hot debate on Monday after he abruptly halted a youth-focused session at the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi, publicly rebuking attendees for talking over on-stage presenters, and accusing them of showing "a total lack of respect".

The incident unfolded during the "Africa Forward: Creation in Motion" session, where artists and young entrepreneurs were speaking before an audience that included heads of state, diplomats and business leaders.

Video from the event showed Macron leaving his seat in the audience, walking onto the stage and taking the microphone as chatter in the hall continued over the speakers.

"Excuse me! Everybody! Hey! Hey! Hey! I'm sorry guys, but it's impossible to speak about culture, to have people like that, super inspired, coming here, making a speech, with such a noise," Macron said, interrupting the proceedings.

He continued, "So, this is a total lack of respect. So, I suggest, if you want to have bilaterals, or speak about something else, you have bilateral rooms, or you go outside. If you want to stay here, we listen to the people, and we play the same game. Okay? Thank you!"

The public interruption quickly drew criticism from several commentators and political figures.

Fadzayi Mahere, a former member of parliament in Zimbabwe, wrote on X, "Respectfully @EmmanuelMacron I don’t believe that it’s courteous or appropriate for you to come onto our Continent and talk down at people like this. They are not your kids. Don’t be condescending. Imagine if a guest of the state did the same in your country? Would it fly? I don’t think so".

Miguna Miguna, a Kenyan-Canadian lawyer who has announced plans to contest Kenya’s 2027 presidential election, also criticised Macron, posting, "Africans don’t need @EmmanuelMacron’s permission to speak in Africa".

Some civil society groups in Kenya described the summit as an attempt at “reengineering of imperialism,” and local media said Macron’s intervention cast an unusual shadow over the event.

AFRICA FORWARD SUMMIT 2026

The exchange happened at the summit hosted jointly by Kenyan President William Ruto and Macron, which brought together delegations from more than 30 African countries.

The two-day meeting focused on reshaping investment flows into Africa, revisiting risk-pricing on the continent and expanding cooperation in sectors such as technology, infrastructure and entrepreneurship.

UN General Secretary António Guterres and leaders from countries including Botswana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia also attended.

The episode overshadowed Macron’s broader message during his Kenya visit.

Earlier in the day, the French president told students at the University of Nairobi that Africa was succeeding and argued the continent needed greater investment to strengthen sovereignty rather than dependence on aid.

France has been seeking to rebuild ties across Africa after a period of strained relations, including military withdrawals from several West African nations and growing competition from Russia, China and Turkey.

By the end of the day, Macron’s remarks had become one of the defining moments of the summit, eclipsing its economic agenda and reigniting debate over France’s role on the continent.

What began as an appeal for silence during a cultural discussion instead became a diplomatic flashpoint, highlighting the sensitivities that still surround France’s efforts to redefine its relationship with Africa.

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