Egyptian senior official accused of insulting sub-Saharan Africans

Egyptian take to Twitter to apologise to Africa for alleged comments by Egyptian official who referred to sub-Saharan Africa as “dogs and slaves” during a recent UN conference in Kenya.

According to reports by Al Jazeera, A Kenyan diplomat Yvonne Khamati, chairwaoman of the Africa Diplomatic Corp Technical Committee, wrote a letter saying an unnamed Egyptian official made “uncivilised, undiplomatic, irresponsible, degrading and insulting” comments at the just concluded UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi. The remarks were allegedly made in Arabic during consultation on the lack of quorum to pass resolutions affecting Gaza, Khamati said.

Ms. Khamati asked for an apology and demanded that Egypt be banned from representing African interests in any negotiations.

“It is completely unacceptable to make the mistake of generalising and making flimsy accusations against the Egyptian state and people that cast doubt on its African identity,” the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Egypt’s Foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, announced on Tuesday that he has ordered an “Immediate investigation” into the allegations.