French President Emmanuel Macron sparked a firestorm of criticism after he interrupted a youth-focused session at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on Monday, publicly scolding attendees for talking over speakers and calling the disruption «a total lack of respect.»

Video from the event showed Macron rising from his seat and walking onto the stage during the «Africa Forward: Creation in Motion» session, which featured artists and young entrepreneurs speaking about culture and innovation.

«Excuse me, everybody. Hey, hey, hey,» Macron told the audience. «I’m sorry, guys. But it’s impossible to speak about culture, to have people like that super inspired, coming here, making a speech with such a noise.»

«So this is a total lack of respect,» he continued. «I suggest if you want to have bilateral or speak about somebody else, I mean something else, you have bilateral rooms, or you go outside. If you want to stay here, we listen to the people, and we’re playing the same game.»

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Macron was immediately criticized for his uninvited remarks on social media. A former member of Parliament from Zimbabwe, Fadzayi Mahere, called the French leader out on X. «Respectfully @EmmanuelMacron I don’t believe that it’s courteous or appropriate for you to come onto our Continent and talk down at people like this. They are not your kids. Don’t be condescending. Imagine if a guest of the state did the same in your country? Would it fly? I don’t think so.»

Another post from a Kenyan-Canadian lawyer with 3.1 million followers announced, «Africans don’t need @EmmanuelMacron’s permission to speak in Africa,» said Dr. Miguna Miguna, who in January announced he was running for the Kenyan presidency in 2027, according to local reports. 

A report published Monday by Modern Ghana, the interruption carried a symbolic irony, as Macron had traveled to Kenya to promote what Paris describes as a more equal and respectful partnership with African nations, moving away from what critics have long viewed as a paternalistic post-colonial model.

The incident took place during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, where more than 30 African leaders, business executives and young entrepreneurs gathered for discussions focused on economic development, innovation and cooperation between Africa and Europe.

Kenya’s Standard Media reported that the exchange «cast an unusual shadow» over the summit, noting that some civil society groups characterized the two-day summit as a «reengineering of imperialism.»

The moment underscored the balancing act facing Macron as France attempts to redefine its relationship with Africa following years of political tensions and military withdrawals from several West African countries.

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French President Emmanuel Macron, arrives at the White House, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

Earlier Monday, Macron told students at the University of Nairobi that «Africa is succeeding» and argued the continent needs investment to strengthen its sovereignty rather than dependence on development aid, according to Modern Ghana’s report by Mustapha Bature Sallama. The report also noted Macron acknowledged France’s own financial constraints during the remarks.

Macron has increasingly emphasized partnerships with African youth, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders as Paris recalibrates its Africa strategy amid growing competition from Russia, China and Turkey for influence across the continent.

Reuters contributed to this report.

El cierre del mandato de Consuelo Porras como fiscal general al frente del Ministerio Público de Guatemala el próximo 17 de mayo marca para el presidente Bernardo Arévalo una posibilidad concreta de iniciar la reconstrucción de la justicia en el país, tras calificar el periodo reciente como caracterizado por el “deterioro” y la “manipulación”.

La sustitución de la titularidad de la fiscalía, aseguró el mandatario en conferencia de prensa transmitida por canal de Gobierno, es para el Ejecutivo “un punto de inflexión” con el objetivo de forjar un Ministerio Público independiente enfocado en el interés de la República.

A días del relevo, Arévalo orientó la discusión pública hacia el proceso de selección y transición institucional, insistiendo en la relevancia del perfil del sucesor. De acuerdo con lo informado, la decisión de designar a Gabriel Estuardo García Luna como nuevo fiscal general se sostuvo sobre la evaluación de su “integridad, honradez y capacidad legal”, atributos que, según el Ejecutivo, son indispensables para restaurar la confianza en la fiscalía. El acto formal de asunción del cargo por parte de García Luna está programado para el 17 de mayo, en consonancia con la normativa vigente.

El titular del Ejecutivo recalcó que “el fiscal general no llega para servir a un presidente específico, no llega para servir a ningún interés político determinado”, sino que su obligación es responder a la República y garantizar una “justicia objetiva e independiente”, en palabras recogidas el miércoles en el Palacio Nacional. La declaración evidencia el nivel de expectación institucional y social por el relevo en el Ministerio Público.

Guatemala inicia la era García Luna con una apuesta por un Ministerio Público independiente y con mandato restaurador

La atención pública se centra ahora en la figura de Gabriel Estuardo García Luna, quien, al asumir la titularidad del Ministerio Público, enfrenta el desafío de imprimir una gestión caracterizada, según Arévalo, por su independencia. La sociedad guatemalteca –expresó el presidente en declaraciones- espera que la fiscalía deje de funcionar como una “herramienta al servicio de algunos” y se transforme en un órgano que combata eficazmente la criminalidad organizada y la impunidad, así como la corrupción. El mandatario subrayó: la institución no debe “utilizarse como herramienta política para perseguir a quienes piensan diferente” y está llamada a garantizar protección a las familias y las generaciones futuras.

Frente a las acciones legales pendientes, Arévalo manifestó su expectativa de que la Corte de Constitucionalidad resuelva los amparos contra el proceso de selección sin afectar la transición ni el cambio institucional previsto. A esto se suma su adhesión a una reforma de la Ley Orgánica del Ministerio Público, criticando que el debate parlamentario para modificarla se diera solo en el tramo final del mandato de Porras. Como señaló el presidente, una reforma previa habría implicado “evitar dos años de Consuelo Porras” en la fiscalía.

En términos fácticos, el presidente comunicó: el Ministerio Público estará bajo nueva dirección a partir del 17 de mayo con Gabriel Estuardo García Luna al frente. El cambio surge tras la finalización del periodo de Consuelo Porras y responde al compromiso expresado por Bernardo Arévalo de devolver la autonomía e integridad a la persecución penal, dotando a la fiscalía de un liderazgo enfocado en la legalidad y el servicio público.

Arévalo reitera autonomía para la fiscalía y exige revisión de abusos cometidos bajo el mandato saliente

En la conferencia, Arévalo subrayó que su gobierno no impartirá instrucciones operativas a García Luna. La única solicitud formal del jefe de Estado al próximo fiscal general consiste en promover una revisión de los abusos judiciales y el uso “absolutamente espurio de las herramientas” que, según su valoración, distinguieron la administración de la saliente Porras. El presidente remarcó que el objetivo irrenunciable es que la fiscalía “esté en ley”, una aspiración que consideró debe contar con el respaldo mayoritario de la sociedad guatemalteca.

La llegada de García Luna representa, en la perspectiva de Arévalo, el inicio de un “nuevo capítulo” para la justicia en Guatemala. El mandatario definió los ejes prioritarios del periodo que comienza: objetividad, independencia y orientación al bien público.

U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was battling to save his position Monday, refusing to step aside despite mounting pressure from within his own party and a wave of resignations among close aides.

Resignation calls intensified after more than 70 Labor MPs publicly urged the Labor leader to quit, while several parliamentary aides stepped down in protest, according to reports.

The growing rebellion comes at a critical moment for Starmer, whose authority has been shaken by political and economic setbacks.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the immediate trigger was the crushing defeats in local election results on May 8, which saw Labor lose hundreds of council seats across England, surrender long-held ground in Wales and fall behind rivals in Scotland.

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A recent YouGov poll also found that around half of Britons believe Starmer should step down.

At the same time, rising U.K. borrowing costs have added to concerns about the government’s economic and public service policies and not easing living costs.

Starmer was also hurt by his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, the Associated Press reported.

In Scotland, Labor’s difficulties were laid bare as John Swinney secured a decisive victory, dealing a further blow to Starmer’s authority.

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President Donald Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Trump Turnberry golf club in Scotland on July 28, 2025. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The result drew attention from President Donald Trump, who publicly congratulated Swinney and appeared to take a swipe at Starmer.

Trump and Starmer’s relationship had become strained, with the president saying, «This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,» blasting the U.K. leader’s reluctance to let U.S. warplanes use its bases after the start of the war against Iran.

Meanwhile, Starmer struck a defiant tone in what has been termed a «reset» speech on Monday, insisting he would not resign.

«I take responsibility for not walking away, not plunging our country into chaos, as the Tories did,» he said.

Sam Carlin, one of the MPs calling for change, said Starmer was «not the right person» to revive the struggling party.

«As a result, I join Labor colleagues from across the United Kingdom in urging the prime minister to step down for the sake of our movement and the people we serve,» he said.

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Starmer struck a defiant tone in what has been termed a «reset» speech where he insisted he would not resign. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

«We have made so much progress, but if we remain on our current course, it will not last.»

Former minister Catherine West led efforts to formalize the challenge, calling for a timetable to elect a new leader as early as September.

Three figures are seen as frontrunners to succeed Starmer.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would need to return to Parliament to mount a bid, while Angela Rayner continues to contend with the fallout from past tax issues.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is viewed as a more immediate contender.

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Under Labor rules, a leadership contest can be triggered if sufficient backing coalesces behind a challenger, typically through nominations from MPs and affiliated groups.

If Starmer were to resign, the party would move into a formal contest period, culminating in a vote among members.