Equatorial Guinea Official Dismissed After Scandalous Videos Surface, Sparking Global Outrage
A senior official from Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has been dismissed from his post following the leak of explicit videos showing him engaging in sexual acts with multiple women, including the wives of high-ranking officials. The scandal quickly went viral, with the hashtag #BaltasarEbangEngonga trending globally, even alongside the U.S. presidential election, as the footage spread across the internet, sparking widespread outrage and controversy.
Ebang Engonga, the married director of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), was seen in the footage with several sexual partners, some of whom were reportedly the spouses of prominent figures in the government. The videos were even filmed inside his office at the Ministry of Finance, further intensifying the scandal.
The videos surfaced while Ebang Engonga was already in custody at Malabo’s infamous Black Beach prison, where he is facing charges of embezzling public funds. In response to the growing scandal, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, issued a decree on Wednesday evening ordering Ebang Engonga’s dismissal.
Ebang Engonga, 50, who has earned the nickname “Bello” for his good looks, is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the chairman of the Commission of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). As the scandal unfolds, Chief Prosecutor Anatolio Nzang Nguema has announced that if medical tests confirm that Ebang Engonga has contracted a sexually transmitted disease, he could face additional charges for endangering public health.
Despite efforts by authorities to contain the viral spread of the videos, the footage has ignited a wave of online reactions, with social media flooded with memes and commentary. Notable figures, including Nigerian singer Davido and French rapper Kaaris, have also weighed in on the controversy, further fueling its viral impact.
The scandal is a significant blow to the reputation of Equatorial Guinea’s leadership, already mired in corruption and political repression. As the country grapples with the fallout, the global attention surrounding this incident continues to grow, raising serious questions about accountability and public morality among the nation’s elite.
