Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources: Ethiopia retracted from previously reached agreements within the framework of the negotiating process on the Renaissance Dam.
Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation: The tripartite ministerial meeting regarding the Renaissance Dam did not achieve progress.
Gaza Ministry of Health: 6 Palestinians wounded by IOF fire east of Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: A batch of incendiary balloons were launched towards settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip.
Turkey's Defense Ministry: 5 Kurdistan Workers Party members killed in an airstrike in northern Iraq.
The Iranian Intelligence Ministry says its forces raided several terrorist hideouts in Tehran and Western Azerbaijan and arrested 28 elements.
Iran's Intelligence Ministry says the terror attacks were aimed at undermining Iran's state security and showing Iran as a destabilized nation.
Iran's Intelligence Ministry says it foiled a terrorist plot being planned for Tehran, with all the culprits getting arrested.
Iranian Defense Ministry says has missiles designed with the intention of striking the Israeli occupation, namely the Hajj Qassem Soleimani missile.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Israeli occupation forces raided Birzeit University and arrested three young men in its vicinity.

Romania apologizes, summons Kenya envoy over racist 'monkey' slur

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: CNN
  • 11 Jun 2023 17:18
  • 1 Shares

The Romanian envoy in Nairobi compares African diplomats to monkeys at a conference he was chairing.

  •  Romania apologizes after ambassador compares Africans to monkeys
    Romania's Ambassador to Kenya Dragos Tigau (AFP)

Romania is withdrawing its ambassador to Kenya and has apologized after the diplomat likened African diplomats to monkeys at a conference he was chairing.

“The African Group has joined us,” Ambassador Dragos Tigau said when a monkey appeared at a window in the conference room, according to the letter demanding an apology seen by CNN.

CNN received confidential documents revealing indignation from African diplomats who threatened to walk out of sessions attended by the envoy.

Chol Ajongo, South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya stated that the "African Group would like to condemn in strongest terms possible the insulting, racist and degrading utterances.”

According to another document, the deputy Russian Ambassador "reprimanded" the Romanian official for his words, for which he apologized "after some hesitation."

Related News

UN's Guterres to world: Africa must lead world in renewable energy

Kenya probes British soldier abuse claims at training unit

African diplomats received two apology letters from Tigau and noted how his comments happened after "a long, heated, and highly debated meeting," and with the intention of easing the tension. That part was later withdrawn from his letter. 

Tigau did not respond to comments from CNN.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry in Bucharest issued a statement on Saturday, saying “Any racist behavior or comments are absolutely unacceptable," stating that it just learned of the incident on June 8, despite the fact that it occurred around the end of April.

The Ministry has “initiated the procedure of recalling” Ambassador Dragos Viorel Tigau from his post in Kenya, the statement further added.

The Ministry “deeply regrets this situation, apologizes to all those affected and strongly rejects and condemns any behavior and any attitude incompatible with mutual respect,” according to the statement, hoping that the unusual occurrence would not have an impact on its "deep relations" with African nations.

A European diplomat told CNN that Tigau was only joking when he made his comments and that he didn't have "any racist inclinations."

The anonymous source added that had any other animal appeared, he would have made similar comments.

  • romania
  • Kenya
  • Africa
  • united na
  • United Nations

Most Read

Ukrainian soldiers ride an APC on the front line near Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region, on June 5, 2023 (AP)

US sees Ukrainian army demoralized, no chance to win: Seymour Hersh

  • Europe
  • 21 Sep 2023
Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

  • Europe
  • 23 Sep 2023
British mercenary in Ukraine killed by another Brit

British mercenary in Ukraine killed by another Brit

  • Europe
  • 18 Sep 2023
Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

  • Analysis
  • Today

Coverage

All
Morocco & Libya Disasters

Read Next

All
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Furhan Al-Saud addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at United Nations headquarters. (AP)
Palestine

Saudi FM tells UN regional stability hinges on 'Palestinian state'

Nearly two weeks later, Libya toll tops 3,800
MENA

Nearly two weeks later, Libya toll tops 3,800

A man walks past a mural featuring oil pumps and wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (AP)
Latin America

Venezuela boosts oil production amid unilateral restrictive measures

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew
Europe

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS