(SeaPRwire) –   French President Emmanuel Macron drew significant backlash after he intervened during a youth-oriented session at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on Monday, openly reprimanding participants for speaking over presenters and labeling the disturbance “a total lack of respect.”

Footage from the event depicted Macron standing up from his chair and proceeding onto the stage during the “Africa Forward: Creation in Motion” session, a segment that showcased artists and young entrepreneurs discussing culture and innovation.

“Excuse me, everyone. Hey, hey, hey,” Macron addressed the audience. “I apologize, folks. But it’s unfeasible to discuss culture, to have such highly inspired individuals, present here, delivering a speech amidst such noise.”

“Therefore, this demonstrates a complete absence of respect,” he proceeded. “I propose that if you wish to engage in private conversations or discuss other matters, you utilize the designated bilateral rooms, or step outside. If you choose to remain here, we will listen to the speakers, and we will all participate respectfully.”

Macron’s unsolicited comments quickly drew condemnation on social media. Fadzayi Mahere, a former Zimbabwean Member of Parliament, challenged the French president on X, stating: “Respectfully @EmmanuelMacron I do not believe it is polite or suitable for you to arrive on our Continent and address people in such a demeaning manner. They are not your children. Avoid being patronizing. Consider if a state guest behaved similarly in your nation? Would it be acceptable? I doubt it.”

A separate post by a Kenyan-Canadian lawyer, boasting 3.1 million followers, declared, “Africans do not require @EmmanuelMacron’s authorization to speak in Africa,” as stated by Dr. Miguna Miguna, who, according to local news, announced his candidacy for the Kenyan presidency in 2027 this past January.

According to a report released Monday by Modern Ghana, the interruption held a symbolic irony, given that Macron had journeyed to Kenya to advocate for what Paris characterizes as a more equitable and respectful collaboration with African countries, aiming to depart from what detractors have historically perceived as a paternalistic post-colonial framework.

The occurrence transpired during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, an event where over 30 African leaders, business executives, and young entrepreneurs convened for deliberations centered on economic advancement, innovation, and collaboration between Africa and Europe.

Kenya’s Standard Media indicated that the interaction “cast an uncommon shadow” over the summit, observing that certain civil society organizations labeled the two-day gathering a “reengineering of imperialism.”

This incident highlighted the delicate equilibrium Macron must maintain as France endeavors to reshape its ties with Africa, subsequent to years of political friction and military pullbacks from various West African nations.

Earlier on Monday, Macron informed students at the University of Nairobi that “Africa is thriving” and contended that the continent requires investment to bolster its sovereignty, rather than relying on development assistance, as per Modern Ghana’s report by Mustapha Bature Sallama. The report further mentioned that Macron recognized France’s own fiscal limitations during his address.

Macron has progressively prioritized collaborations with African youth, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures as Paris re-evaluates its Africa strategy amidst intensifying rivalry from Russia, China, and Turkey for sway throughout the continent.

Reuters provided input for this report.