AU Dismisses Burundian Diplomat After Criticising Kenya Over Traders

AU Dismisses Burundian Diplomat After Criticising Kenya Over Traders

The African Union Commission has reportedly dismissed senior Burundian diplomat Fred Gateretse Ngoga after he criticised Kenya’s treatment of Burundian traders amid a government crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals.

Ngoga, who had served at the African Union Commission for 17 years, announced his resignation shortly after raising concerns about the treatment of Burundian nationals operating small businesses in Kenya.

The diplomat used his X account to question why Burundian traders appeared to be facing particular scrutiny while nationals from other countries were also operating businesses across Kenya.

His comments came at a time when the Kenyan government was intensifying enforcement against foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses without the required immigration, work and business documents.

Ngoga’s intervention added a diplomatic dimension to an issue that had already triggered concern among Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya.

Burundians seek help at embassy

The Kenyan government’s enforcement campaign prompted hundreds of Burundian nationals to seek assistance from their embassy in Nairobi.

Some reportedly visited the diplomatic mission to obtain identification and travel documents as they considered returning to Burundi amid uncertainty over their businesses and immigration status.

A spot check on Thursday evening found Burundian nationals and their families staying at the embassy while seeking assistance.

St John Ambulance and the Kenya Red Cross were also reported to have provided food supplies to those who remained at the diplomatic mission during the difficult period.

The situation followed President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreign nationals involved in small-scale retail and hawking without the necessary legal requirements.

The government later clarified that the directive did not amount to a blanket ban on foreign traders.

Kenya gives foreigners 90 days

In response to concerns surrounding the enforcement campaign, the Kenyan government provided foreign traders with a 90-day period to regularise their status.

The process requires affected individuals to address their immigration status, work permits, business registration and relevant operating licences.

The government has maintained that foreigners who meet the legal requirements can continue conducting business in Kenya.

The regularisation period was also viewed as an opportunity for undocumented East African nationals to resolve their status without immediately facing stricter enforcement measures.

The move followed growing concerns over the impact of the crackdown on citizens of neighbouring countries, particularly Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda.

Kenyan authorities have stressed that foreign nationals must comply with the country’s laws governing immigration and business operations.

Diplomatic concerns intensify

Ngoga’s comments came against the backdrop of growing diplomatic concern between Kenya and Burundi over the treatment of Burundian traders.

Burundian authorities had previously raised concerns over reports of harassment and hardship affecting their citizens in Kenya.

The Kenyan government subsequently apologised to Burundian nationals who experienced difficulties during the enforcement operation and reiterated that the campaign was focused on compliance rather than nationality.

Ngoga later deleted his resignation post from X, leaving uncertaint

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AU Dismisses Burundian Diplomat After Criticising Kenya Over Traders