The African Union Commission has dismissed senior Burundian diplomat Ambassador Fred Gateretse Ngoga after he publicly raised concerns about the treatment of Burundian traders caught up in Kenya’s crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals.
Ngoga, who had served at the African Union Commission for 17 years, announced his resignation shortly after questioning why Burundian nationals were being targeted during the government’s enforcement exercise.
He used X to express concern over the situation, asking why Burundian traders appeared to be singled out while other foreign nationals were also running businesses in Kenya.
His comments came at a time when the Kenyan government was intensifying efforts to ensure foreign nationals operating small businesses had the required immigration and business documents.
The enforcement exercise affected a number of Burundian traders, many of whom turned to their embassy in Nairobi for assistance.
However, the African Union Commission later disputed Ngoga’s account of his departure. The continental body stated that the diplomat had not resigned voluntarily but had instead been summarily dismissed for gross misconduct.
The dismissal came a day after Ngoga publicly questioned the treatment of Burundian nationals in Kenya.
He later welcomed the Kenyan government’s decision to provide foreign traders with a 90-day grace period to regularise their status.
Ngoga has since deleted the post in which he announced his resignation. He has also not publicly explained whether he initially intended to leave his position at the African Union Commission or whether the announcement was made in the context of the disciplinary action that eventually led to his dismissal.
The 90-day grace period announced by the Kenyan government gives foreign traders time to comply with the requirements needed to continue operating legally in the country.
They are expected to regularise their immigration status, obtain the necessary work permits, register their businesses and secure relevant business licences before enforcement resumes.
The crackdown had caused concern among Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya. Hundreds reportedly sought help from the Burundi Embassy in Nairobi as they tried to obtain identification and travel documents needed to regularise their situation.
The embassy became a temporary place of refuge for many of the affected traders and their families. Some stayed at the facility for several days while seeking assistance with their documentation and trying to understand the requirements they needed to meet.
During the period, St John Ambulance and the Kenya Red Cross provided food supplies to the Burundian nationals and their families staying at the embassy. The support came as the affected families waited for assistance from diplomatic officials and worked to address their documentation challenges.
The situation also prompted the Kenyan government to apologise to Burundian nationals who experienced hardship during the enforcement operation. The government maintained that the measures were not intended to target Burundian nationals or impose a blanket ban on foreign traders.
Kenyan authorities have instead maintained that foreign nationals who wish to operate businesses in the country must meet the required legal conditions. The government has also said undocumented East Africans can regularise their stay by working through their respective embassies and obtaining the necessary documents.
Ngoga’s dismissal has now added a diplomatic dimension to the dispute, with his comments about the treatment of Burundian traders followed closely by the AU Commission’s decision to end his long service at the continental body.
Leave feedback about this