The government of Equatorial Guinea has dismissed Baltasar Ebang Engonga from his position as Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) after explicit sex videos involving him and numerous women went viral online.

The controversy erupted when over 400 sex tapes allegedly featuring Engonga in intimate situations with multiple women—some of whom are reportedly connected to prominent figures in the country—circulated widely on social media. These videos triggered an official response from the government, leading to Engonga's dismissal by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the head of state.

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According to reports from Real Equatorial Guinea, the dismissal was formalized through Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4, 2024, which cited Engonga’s alleged misconduct both in his professional duties and in his personal behavior, which was deemed incompatible with his role in public office. Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).

In the aftermath of the scandal, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang expressed strong disapproval of the incident. During a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue, who oversees administrative coordination, the First Lady emphasized the need for governmental action to protect the dignity and privacy of Equatoguinean women in the digital age. She reiterated that while the government has made strides toward gender equality, there is a need for proactive measures to safeguard individuals’ rights, especially against violations such as this.

Prime Minister Osa Nsue also addressed the issue, acknowledging the damage to the nation’s image and the implications for gender equality efforts. He suggested that the government might implement stricter privacy laws to prevent similar incidents in the future, noting that this case had ignited a broader conversation about the limits of privacy in the digital world and the importance of protecting citizens' rights.

The government’s response has included considering legislation to enhance personal data protection and prevent the unauthorized distribution of intimate content. Osa Nsue emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach involving legislation, education, and social awareness to curb the spread of inappropriate material.

In a separate move, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue directed the country’s telecommunications sector to take action against the proliferation of explicit videos. He ordered the telecommunications ministry, regulators, and telecom companies to curtail the distribution of these materials, recognizing the harm caused to families and individuals.

As part of the measures, the government has imposed restrictions on the downloading and sharing of multimedia files over mobile data via platforms like WhatsApp. This action has been met with frustration from citizens who can no longer share videos, images, or audio through mobile data, forcing them to rely on WiFi networks instead.

Meanwhile, reports from Ahora EG, a local news outlet, indicate that the sex tapes of Engonga were allegedly leaked while he was incarcerated at Malabo's notorious Black Beach prison, where he is facing charges related to the embezzlement of public funds. Equatorial Guinea’s chief prosecutor, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, has stated that if medical tests confirm Engonga has contracted a sexually transmitted disease, he will be prosecuted for endangering public health.

In response to the scandal, Vice President Obiang Mangue also announced plans to install surveillance cameras in all state agency offices as part of broader efforts to improve governance and prevent official misconduct. The move aims to strengthen accountability and uphold integrity within the public service sector, addressing public demands for reforms in governance.

The government of Equatorial Guinea's actions highlight the rising concerns around privacy, digital rights, and accountability in the age of social media, as well as the broader implications of personal misconduct within political and public office spheres.