Equatorial Guinea President activates Decree No. 118, sacks Engonga

Authorities in Equatorial Guinea have sacked Baltasar Ebang Engonga as Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).

This action follows viral social media videos featuring Engonga engaging in sexual activities with multiple women.

The government had previously suspended Engonga after the video, allegedly showing him with over 400 women, some reportedly linked to prominent individuals in Equatorial Guinea, was leaked.

Engonga has not commented on the allegations, and the BBC has attempted to reach him for a response.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo ordered Engonga’s dismissal.

Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current President of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).

Local reports indicate the dismissal was formalized through a decree signed by his great-uncle, President Mbasogo.

Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teodoro Mangue, has promised “severe measures” against officials who engage in sexual activities within government offices.

Following the viral “sex tapes” reportedly involving a high-ranking official and the wives of prominent individuals, he announced on social media that the government will suspend any officials found engaging in such behavior in government offices.

Mangue emphasized that the government would take strong action against these acts, viewing them as violations of the code of conduct and public ethics laws.

The videos went viral after Engonga was reportedly arrested on unrelated corruption charges, prompting Mangue to order regulators and internet service providers to block further distribution of the videos.

The country's attorney general noted that the acts in the videos appear consensual but suggested that Engonga could face prosecution for “public health crimes” if a sexually transmitted infection is involved.

First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang expressed deep disappointment, describing the incident as “embarrassing.” She shared her concerns in a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue, who is in charge of administrative coordination, and posted a statement on Facebook, calling the incident a “social scandal” that has damaged the reputation and image of women from Equatorial Guinea on an international scale.

Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a 54-year-old senior Equatorial Guinean government official, has six children with his wife. He is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the President of CEMAC. Engonga began his career in 1998 as Minister of Education and later led the anti-corruption agency ANIF.

—BBC News