Romania is recalling its ambassador to Kenya back to Bucharest and has apologized after its envoy in Nairobi compared a monkey to African diplomats during a meeting he was chairing.
“The African Group has joined us,” Ambassador Dragos Tigau said when a monkey appeared at a window in the conference room, CNN reported citing a letter demanding an apology.
“The African Group would like to condemn in strongest terms possible the insulting, racist and degrading utterances,” wrote Chol Ajongo, South Sudan’s ambassador to Kenya who leads African diplomats in Nairobi, CNN reported.
Another document said that the deputy Russian ambassador “reprimanded” the Romanian official for the remarks who apologized “after some hesitation.”
Two apology letters were sent by Tigau to African diplomats four days apart. Tigau initially said that his comments came during “a long, heated and highly debated meeting” and were an attempt at “relaxing the atmosphere.” He later withdrew that section.
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 Foreign Affairs deeply regrets this situation, conveys its apologies to all those affected and strongly rejects and condemns all behaviors and attitudes incompatible with mutual respect,” the statement read.
