Five human rights defenders, including foreign nationals, were arrested in Nairobi’s Central Business District after staging demonstrations against the Africa Forward Summit.
The activists marched along Uhuru Highway chanting anti-France slogans before police officers intercepted them near the GPO roundabout and dispersed the protest using teargas.
The demonstrators accused France of pursuing policies they claim have contributed to political instability, exploitation and poverty in parts of West Africa and the Sahel region.
They also urged William Ruto to revoke bilateral agreements signed between Kenya and France, arguing that the partnerships could disadvantage Kenya in the long term.
Among those who spoke during the protest was Vijay Prashad, who criticised France’s historical and present-day role in Africa.
“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,” he said.
He further referenced conflicts and political instability in several African nations.
“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 added.
Police had not publicly announced the specific charges facing the arrested activists by the time of reporting.
The demonstrations come amid increasing debate across Africa regarding foreign influence, economic partnerships and geopolitical interests on the continent.
