The government of Equatorial Guinea has removed Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the Director General of its National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), following a scandal involving over 400 leaked sex tapes.
These videos reportedly feature Engonga in intimate encounters with the wives of influential figures in the country, including the Vice President’s wife, the Inspector General of Police’s spouse, and even his own brother’s wife.
The shocking revelations have sparked widespread outrage and serious concerns over privacy and public trust in national leadership.
In an official statement, the government confirmed Engonga’s dismissal, noting his behavior as “incompatible with public office” due to “alleged misconduct and family-related and social behavior.”
Engonga’s termination was formalized in Decree No. 118/2024, signed on November 4. The decree also highlighted his family connections, pointing out that Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).
First Lady of Equatorial Guinea, Mrs. Constancia Mangue de Obiang, spoke out on Facebook, urging the government to take immediate action to safeguard the dignity of Equatoguinean women in the face of increasing digital risks.
“While progress has been made in gender equality, proactive measures are necessary to not only address such incidents but also to prevent them,” she stated.
Prime Minister Manuela Roka Botey Nsue also acknowledged the severe impact of the scandal on the nation’s reputation and the advancement of gender equality.
“The Government of Equatorial Guinea is contemplating strengthening laws related to privacy and personal data protection to prevent further violations of citizens’ rights,” Nsue remarked, emphasizing the need for privacy reforms in the digital age.
Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has ordered the Ministry of Telecommunications and mobile service providers to take urgent measures against the spread of the videos, citing concerns for family welfare and public morals.
He stated, “Families should not be allowed to suffer due to the circulation of Engonga’s videos.”
Meanwhile, the government has implemented restrictions on multimedia sharing through mobile networks on platforms like WhatsApp, compelling users to rely on Wi-Fi for such exchanges.
Local outlet Ahora EG reported public frustration over these restrictions, as citizens face limited options for communication.
