Romania Ambassador to Kenya recalled for allegedly calling Africans 'monkeys'

Dragos Tigau was asked to urgently return to Romania to enable the matter to be looked into.

In Summary

•Tigau was accused of using a monkey reference during a meeting at the UN headquarters on April 26.

•They however said they regret the situation and apologize to all those affected.

Recalled Romanian ambassador Dragos Tigau
Recalled Romanian ambassador Dragos Tigau
Image: COURTESY

The Romanian government has recalled its ambassador to Kenya Dragos Tigau after African diplomats accused him of calling African group members "Monkeys" during a meeting held in Nairobi.

The decision follows a meeting on Friday evening between the Romanian government and African diplomats.

In a statement, Romania said Tigau has been summoned to relook into the allegations.

"The Romanian Ambassador to Kenya should urgently return to Romania so that necessary procedures, including the determination of the internal measures to be taken," a statement seen by Nairobi Leo read in part.

The  Romanian government regretted the situation and apologised to all those affected.

Tigau was accused of using a monkey reference during a meeting at the UN headquarters on April 26.

Tigau's country termed his statement as an isolated case that should not affect the relations between Romania and African countries.

"We express our hope that this isolated incident will not affect the deep relations between Romania and the African countries, especially considering that Romanian diplomacy considers the development of relations with Africa, " the statement added.

They noted that their relations with African countries are important to them as they are based on partnership and mutual respect.

The Romanian government also said such behaviours do not reflect the institutional and human values that underpin the diplomatic action of Romania.

The complaints had died down until Kenya's Former Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Macharia Kamau took to his Twitter to accuse the ambassador of racism.

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