400 Sex Tapes Lead to Sacking of Top Equatorial Guinea Official

(Malabo) – A high ranking government official in Equatorial Guinea has been fired after approximately 400 explicit videos surfaced online, showing him engaging in sexual acts with various women, including the wives of prominent officials. The videos, featuring Baltasar Ebang Engonga, have caused a stir both within the country and beyond its borders. Ebang Engonga, who was also the director of the National Financial Investigation Agency, is related to the long-serving president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

The release of the sex tapes has triggered a wave of reactions across social media platforms, despite efforts by the authorities to control their spread. The videos show the married Ebang Engonga in different locations, including his office at the finance ministry, with several women, some of whom are reportedly the spouses of high-ranking officials. His actions have led to widespread public backlash, including memes, songs, and even mentions in international media. Nigerian singer Davido and French rapper Kaaris both shared their reactions on social media.

The controversy escalated when one of the women featured in the videos spoke out on state television, expressing her humiliation. The woman, whose identity was partially concealed, stated that she had consented to the filming but had believed the footage would be immediately erased. She questioned why the videos had been kept and distributed without her consent, adding that she felt deeply violated by their public release.

In response to the scandal, the Equatorial Guinean authorities moved swiftly, ordering the telecommunications ministry and telecom companies to take immediate action to halt the viral spread of the videos. Despite these efforts, the scandal gained momentum internationally, with various cultural references being made in songs, dances, and internet memes.

Ebang Engonga, who is in his 50s, has become known by the nickname “Bello” due to his good looks. He is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, a well-known figure in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. Following the scandal, the chief prosecutor, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, indicated that if medical exams reveal that Ebang Engonga has contracted a sexually transmitted disease, he could face legal charges related to public health violations.