Konami's treatment of Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima is not just cruel, but poor leadership, says former Square Enix boss Yoichi Wada.

In a post on his Facebook page (translated by Kotaku), Wada said that as a friend of Kojima, he "can't believe this cruel treatment."

But as an executive, Wada said that "however you think about this, this is a negative for business."

“Generally, this kind of thing happens when there’s a lack of leadership. I think, perhaps, there isn’t someone in charge who is paying attention and laying out all the little details for whole enterprise.”

Wada, who resigned from his post as Square Enix president earlier this year, pointed out the disconnect between Konami's actions and the reaction of its customers, saying that “when you are not aware that the feelings of your own department aren’t aligned with the world at large, the results can be deplorable.”

The feud between Konami and Kojima has been ongoing for some time now.

Most recently, Kojima was barred from attending the 2015 Game Awards last week by Konami's lawyers, though his game was up for multiple statues.

Kojima's contract allegedly expires this month, at which point more information could emerge.

Until then, it's a strange and impenetrable mystery.