Equatorial Guinea sacks official Baltasar Ebang Engonga amid leaked intimate videos

Equatorial Guinea’s government has dismissed Baltasar Ebang Engonga from his position as Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) after explicit videos involving him and several women circulated widely online.

Earlier reports indicated that Mr. Engonga had been suspended after over 400 alleged videos surfaced, depicting him in intimate encounters with multiple women, including figures connected to prominent families in the country.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo officially ordered Mr. Engonga’s dismissal. According to local reports, Decree No. 118/2024, dated November 4, cites Mr. Engonga’s misconduct in office and behaviour deemed “incompatible” with his public role.

Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), is the father of Mr. Engonga.

First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang expressed strong disapproval of the scandal in a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue, who manages administrative coordination. In a statement posted on Facebook by her press office, Mrs. Obiang emphasized the need for immediate government action to protect the dignity and privacy of Equatoguinean women in the digital era. She highlighted that while the country has made progress toward gender equality, proactive measures are essential to prevent such incidents and ensure respect for women.

Prime Minister Osa Nsue echoed the concerns, stating the importance of safeguarding privacy and preserving the nation’s public image. He acknowledged the government’s consideration of stricter privacy laws to address the growing presence of private content on social media platforms and prevent similar incidents.

“The Government of Equatorial Guinea, aware of the impact of social media and the spread of private content on digital platforms, is evaluating stronger privacy and data protection laws to prevent further infringements on citizens’ rights,” said Mr. Osa Nsue. He emphasized that the scandal has sparked wider discussions on privacy boundaries in the digital age, highlighting the need for legislation, public education, and social awareness.

The First Lady and Prime Minister concluded their meeting with a commitment to collaborate on measures that restore public trust in institutions and protect the reputation of Equatoguinean women.

In response to the scandal, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has directed the telecommunications ministry and regulatory bodies to curb the distribution of pornographic material.