Ruto Announces Way Forward After Welcoming New Romania Ambassador To Kenya
Serbu replaced her predecessor, Dragos Viorel Tigau, who was recalled by the government of Romania on Saturday, June 10 owing to complaints by African diplomats that he used a monkey slur during a meeting in Nairobi two months prior.
admin
President William Ruto on Wednesday, November 8 received the new Romanian ambassador to Kenya Gentiana Serbu at State House in Nairobi.
Serbu replaced her predecessor, Dragos Viorel Tigau, who was recalled by the government of Romania on Saturday, June 10 owing to complaints by African diplomats that he used a monkey slur during a meeting in Nairobi two months prior.
In a statement, Ruto revealed that he received credentials from Serbu, citing key areas of partnership between the two countries.
"Relations between Kenya and Romania have been growing over time, making way for the exploration of opportunities in trade, investment and education. We are looking forward to escalating our ties to cover other areas such as tourism for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
President William Ruto received the new Romania ambassador to Kenya Gentiana Serbu at State House on November 8, 2023. /PCS
"Received credentials from newly-appointed Romania Ambassador to Kenya Gentiana Serbu, State House, Nairobi," stated the President on social media.
Ruto was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who also heads the Foreign Affairs docket, as they received Serbu into the country.
She is a career diplomat who has served in various countries including Cuba, Maldova, and Belgium among other nations.
She is expected to take the reins from Tigau who 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 on Saturday, June 10 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.
"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 recall was well received by the Kenyan government, with Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua at the time applauding Romania's decision.
"I thank the Romanian Government for recalling its envoy to Nairobi after he made disparaging & racist remarks against Africans and all Black people. We have been in conversation with the African Group, UN & Romanian Government since this shocking and despicable occurrence.
"The envoy’s government has done the only right thing they could do. All African & black people will not accept the derogatory treatment that we have endured for centuries to continue being propagated anywhere. Respect for all races and cultures is not an option but a must for all," Mutua sternly wrote on Sunday, June 11.
