Romania Orders Envoy To Kenya To Return Over Monkey Remark During Nairobi Meeting

The government of Romania on Saturday, June 10 recalled its Ambassador to Kenya, Dragos Viorel Tigau owing to complaints by African diplomats that he used a monkey slur during a meeting in Nairobi two months ago.

Tigau reportedly made a comment that compared African diplomats to monkeys during a diplomatic meeting held at the United Nations (UN) offices in Nairobi on Wednesday, April 26 and referred to the African group by stating, “The African group has joined us,” after observing a black monkey in the area. 

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania seen by Viral Tea revealed that Bucharest commenced the procedure of recalling the diplomat.

In addition, the Eastern European country announced that it had begun internal procedures to follow up on the issue and undertake the necessary measures.

Recalled Romanian Ambassador Dragos Tigau with National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula. /FILE

"Taking into account the situation generated by the conduct of the Romanian ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania has already initiated the procedure of recalling the Romanian Ambassador.

"At the same time, as soon as the Romanian MFA's leadership has learned about the incident in the evening of the 8th of June 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs decided that the Romanian Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya return urgently to Romania and the MFA's internal Control and Diplomatic Evaluation Unit start at once the necessary procedures, including the establishing of internal necessary measures to be taken in the given situation," read the statement in part.

The Romanian MFA mentioned that regrettably and contrary to the institution's rules, including those of conduct and ethics, Tigau did not inform the MFA's Headquarters, prior to Thursday, June 8, according to the procedures and practices in force, about the incident that took place at the end of April 2023.

As regards the remark made during the working session, the ministry added that Tigau presented his apologies after the incident, including in writing.

"The Romanian MFA deeply regrets this situation, conveys its apologies to all those affected and strongly rejects and condemns all behaviours and attitudes incompatible with mutual respect. Any behaviours or comments of a racist nature are completely unacceptable.

"Such behaviours and attitudes do not reflect, in any way, the institutional and human values that underpin the diplomatic action of the Romanian MFA, which is based on the promotion and profound respect for human rights, diversity and the fight against racism and any form of intolerance or discrimination," added the statement.

Bucharest expressed its hope that this isolated incident will not affect the deep relations between Romania and the African countries, especially given that Romanian diplomacy considers the development of the relationship with Africa an important priority of its action, based on partnership and mutual respect.

The ministry added that the elements were also conveyed to the Group of African Ambassadors in Bucharest by the Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies, during a meeting that took place on Friday, June 9 at the MFA's Headquarters.

Tigau found himself at the epicentre of a racist storm following the monkey remarks made in reference to a joke during the meeting with the African diplomats, who raised complaints which had largely died down since the incident.

However, Kenya's Former Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau took to Twitter to accuse Tigau of racism and degrading Africans.