Romania is recalling its ambassador to Kenya after the diplomat made a remark comparing Africans to monkeys at a meeting in Nairobi.
“Any racist behavior or comment is absolutely unacceptable,” Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest He said In a statement Saturday. The statement stated that the ministry had initiated “procedures to recall” Ambassador Dragos Viorel Tejao from his post in Kenya.
The statement said that the ministry “deeply regrets this situation and apologizes to all those affected, and strongly rejects and condemns any behavior and any position that contradicts mutual respect.”
The move came in response to allegations that Tejao said “the African group has joined us” after a black monkey appeared from the conference room window before the meeting. The incident occurred at a United Nations building in the Kenyan capital on April 26.
Romania’s Foreign Ministry said it was only informed of the incident last week and Tijau was summoned as soon as the government learned. The ambassador apologized after the incident, including in writing, according to the ministry.
Kenyan diplomat Macharia Kamau He said In a tweet, he said the remarks “appalled and disgusted” him. “This is intolerable and unacceptable,” he added.
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement that the Romanian government “hopes that the incident will not affect relations with the countries of the African continent.”
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