CS Mutua lauds Romania for recalling ambassador to Kenya over racist monkey slur

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Sunday praised the Romanian government for recalling its envoy to Kenya who compared a monkey to African diplomats.

Ambassador Dragos Tigau made the racist remarks when a monkey appeared at a window in the conference room during a meeting he was chairing, according to the letter demanding an apology seen by CNN.

CS Mutua in a tweet termed the incident as a “shocking and despicable occurrence”, adding he has since contacted the African Group, United Nations and Romanian Government.

“I thank the Romanian Government for recalling its envoy to Nairobi after he made disparaging and racist remarks against Africans and all Black people. We have been in conversation with the African Group, UN and Romanian Government since this shocking and despicable occurrence,” Dr Mutua said.

“The envoy’s government has done the only right thing they could do. All African and black people will not accept 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.”

Ambassador Tigau reportedly said, “The African Group has joined us,” when a monkey appeared at the window, sparking outrage from African diplomats who threatened to walk out of meetings attended by the ambassador.

Romania’s foreign ministry said that it only learned of the incident on June 8, even though it had taken place at the end of April.

A statement from the Romanian foreign ministry said that it hoped the isolated incident would not affect its “deep relations” with African countries.

“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,” the statement read.