Romania Ambassador to Kenya Recalled for Allegedly Calling Africans 'Monkeys'

The Romanian government has recalled its ambassador to Kenya, Dragos Tigau, after accusations from African diplomats that he used a monkey reference in a gathering in Nairobi. 

The decision follows an engagement on Friday between the Romanian government and African diplomats. In a Statement, Romania briefed that Tigau has been summoned to reexamine the claims. The Romanian government was regretful of the circumstance and offered a sincere apology to all those affected. Tigau used the monkey reference at a meeting at the UN headquarters on April 26.

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

The Romanian government responded to Tigau's statement by declaring it an isolated incident that should not have any repercussions on their ties with African nations. They stated that their relationship is based on cooperation and mutual respect and that such behaviour does not reflect the values that Romania stands for. The matter seemed to have been put to rest until Macharia Kamau, Kenya's ex-Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, took to Twitter to accuse the ambassador of racism.