Emmanuel Macron rebukes a Kenyan audience for disrupting speakers - drawing a mix of mockery, praise and criticism
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAssociated PressPublished: 1:51pm, 13 May 2026Updated: 1:51pm, 13 May 2026French President Emmanuel Macron is facing backlash after he interrupted a panel at the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya to demand silence from the audience.
Macron stormed the stage to rebuke audience members for what he called a “total lack of respect”, accusing them of disrupting speakers during a presentation by artists and young entrepreneurs. He had earlier described himself as a “Pan-Africanist” during a news conference.
The summit is meant to showcase France’s new policy for the continent - a shift from a former colonial power seen as dominating to what Paris describes as a partnership of equals. On Tuesday, Macron announced a US$27 billion investment into various sectors in Africa, including energy, artificial intelligence and agriculture.
Videos of Macron’s heated intervention on Monday quickly spread across social media, drawing a mix of mockery, praise and criticism.
Appearing visibly frustrated by the noise in the room, Macron abruptly walked onto the stage and asked the speaker to hand him the microphone, saying he would “restore order”.
Addressing the audience in English, he criticised attendees for talking over the speakers and creating disruptions during the session.
