Anti-France protesters charged after Africa Summit chaos
Five human rights activists arrested during anti-France demonstrations linked to the ongoing Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi were today charged before the Milimani Magistrates’ Court with offensive conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The five are among at least 11 protesters arrested in separate incidents across Nairobi’s Central Business District as police intensified security operations around venues hosting the high-profile summit.
The activists were reportedly intercepted along Uhuru Highway and near the General Post Office (GPO) roundabout while attempting to march toward the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, where part of the summit was taking place.
Witnesses said the demonstrators chanted anti-France slogans and accused Paris of interfering in African political and economic affairs.
Anti-riot police later dispersed the protesters using teargas before bundling several activists, including foreign nationals, into police vehicles.
Security remained tight around the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and Serena Hotel, with officers sealing off key access roads and closely monitoring movement within surrounding streets.
The protests largely centred on France’s role in the Africa Forward Summit and its historical influence on the continent. Demonstrators accused France of perpetuating neo-imperial control in Africa and demanded a review of bilateral agreements signed between Kenya and Paris.
Some protesters also urged President William Ruto to reconsider cooperation agreements with France, arguing that such partnerships could disadvantage Kenya economically and politically in the long term.
“If France is interested in a genuine partnership with Nairobi, what has happened in Ouagadougou and the Sahel region? We know for a fact no development has happened in West Africa,” one protester said during the demonstrations.
Speaking during the protests, Vijay Prashad criticised what he termed France’s continued imperial influence in Africa.
“What have they done to the Sahel region, what have they done to Côte d’Ivoire, what have they done to Gaddafi and Libya? That is the heritage of French imperialism, not in the 19th or 20th century, but in the 21st century,” he said.
The arrests came amid heightened security operations in Nairobi as delegates, diplomats and international guests attended summit sessions under heavy police protection.
