At least 37 Congolese nationals were arrested outside a Nairobi hotel while demanding to be addressed by their president Felix Tshisekedi, on Tuesday night.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi had arrived in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit when the group crowded outside his hotel demanding that he address them.
Security was beefed up outside JW Marriott Hotel along Waiyaki Way after the group turned riotous while demanding to be allowed in to meet their president.
The security personnel said they were not aware of such a planned address by the president and ordered the group leave the site.
It was then that anti-riot police arrived and managed to arrest 37 of them as others escaped.
They were detained in custody pending processing.
Tshisekedi and his entourage had arrived in Nairobi from Uganda where he attended the swearing in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni.
He attended the late evening summit session before retreating to his hotel. Officials said there were plans for a bilateral meeting between him and host William Ruto later on Wednesday.
Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamud said at least 116 people were arrested on Tuesday for trying to disrupt the programme of the summit.
At least 15 of them had been arrested. They were trying to protest at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the venue of the event.
Police descended on them along Koinange Street and Uhuru Highway. The police then lobbed a teargas canister at the group to disperse them.
It was then that some of them were detained. Police later took at least five to court where they were charged and released on Sh5,000 cash bail.
The summit was co-chaired between Ruto and President Emmanuel Macron of France. The summit was attended by 24 Presidents, five prime ministers, four vice-presidents, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali, among others.
President Ruto explained that Africa’s priorities include domestic mobilisation of resources for Africa’s development at scale. It also involves reform of the international financial architecture, development of transport, logistics and connectivity infrastructure.
Others are energy transition and green industrialisation, and youth skills development to foster creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI-driven transformation.
Macron said the renewed partnership between Africa and France will be built on respect, courage, and shared ambitions.
He said the European agenda has every interest in seeing Africa attain economic sovereignty and autonomy.
“Your success is our success,” he said.
The French leader pointed out that £23 billion has been invested in the private sector in Africa. Of this amount, £14 billion came from French firms operating in Africa. Another £9 billion was invested in African businesses. He said these investments reflect a new partnership and vision for sustainable development.
He said the challenges facing Europe and Africa are shared. Macron also noted that both continents seek peace, prosperity, and sovereignty.
He pointed out that France is keen on defending the rule of law and international law. He also stated that France believes in equality in trade relations.
