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'Total lack of respect': Macron interrupts speaker to ask for silence

The French president stood up during a conference in Kenya to tell the audience to quieten down, saying it was “impossible” for speakers to be heard.

Published May 11, 2026, 4:10 PM
Updated May 17, 2026, 2:46 PM4.2K
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'Total lack of respect': Macron interrupts speaker to ask for silence

French President Emmanuel Macron interrupted a speaker on stage at the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi to ask the audience to remain quiet.

"There is a total lack of respect," Macron told attendees, before urging those holding side discussions to continue them outside or in bilateral meeting rooms.

The French leader is in Kenya for the Africa Forward summit, which has brought together more than 30 African leaders, business executives and young entrepreneurs as France seeks to strengthen economic and political ties across the continent.

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