Kenyan police fired teargas on Tuesday to disperse anti-France protesters attempting to approach the venue of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, where African and European leaders are meeting for high-level talks on trade, investment and climate cooperation.
The demonstrations unfolded near the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where the summit is being co-hosted by Kenya and France. Protesters carrying red flags and anti-imperialism banners gathered along Uhuru Highway before anti-riot police blocked their movement toward the heavily secured venue.
Videos from the scene showed officers chasing demonstrators through parts of central Nairobi as teargas spread across nearby streets. Some protesters were also detained and forced into police vehicles during the crackdown.
Several demonstrators carried banners reading “Stop the Imperialist Drive to War” and “Down with Imperialism,” while others waved socialist-themed flags and portraits as they chanted against French influence in Africa.
The protests coincided with the arrival of more than 30 African and European leaders attending the Africa Forward Summit, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Authorities maintained a heavy security presence across central Nairobi throughout the day, restricting access around government buildings, major hotels and roads linked to the summit venue.