Activists Arrested for Staging anti-France Protest during Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi
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, who marched along Uhuru Highway chanting slogans against France, were teargassed by police officers who intercepted them near the GPO roundabout.
The human rights defenders expressed displeasure over what they termed as France’s growing interest in the East African region, claiming it is partly responsible for political instability and poverty in parts of West Africa.
They also called on President William Ruto to revoke bilateral agreements signed between Kenya and France, arguing that Kenya risks losing in the long run.
“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,” said
“What have they done to the Sahel region, what have they done to Cote d’Ivoire, what have they done to Gaddafi and Libya? That is the heritage of the French imperialism, not in the 19th, 20th, but in the 21st century,” added Vijay Prashad, Tricontinental Institute for Social Research Executive Director.
Police blocked a group of human rights activists from accessing the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) during the ongoing Africa Forward Summit, with several people arrested along Uhuru Highway.
Witnesses said the activists were repelled as they attempted to get closer to the summit venue, with some bundled into police vehicles, including foreigners.
Security was tightened around KICC following the incident, with access routes cordoned off and police officers visibly patrolling the corridors of the convention centre.
The Africa Forward Summit entered its second day on Tuesday, with high-level sessions taking place at KICC focusing on financing reforms, peace and security, artificial intelligence, the blue economy, health and agriculture.