A senior official from Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has been dismissed following the release of multiple videos showing him engaging in sexual acts with women, including the wives of high-ranking officials. The explicit content quickly spread across the internet, sparking widespread attention and controversy.
Authorities have attempted to control the viral spread of the footage involving Ebang Engonga, who is also connected to the country’s long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. However, the videos have only fueled an outpouring of reactions and memes on social media, including from notable figures such as Nigerian singer Davido and French rapper Kaaris.
The hashtag #BaltasarEbangEngonga trended alongside the U.S. presidential election, becoming one of the most discussed topics online. In the footage, the married director of the National Financial Investigation Agency is seen with various sexual partners, including the wives of prominent officials, some of which were filmed at his office in the Ministry of Finance.
The videos surfaced while Ebang Engonga was already in custody at Malabo’s Black Beach prison, where he was being held on charges of embezzling public funds. In response to the scandal, President Obiang issued a decree on Wednesday evening ordering Ebang Engonga’s dismissal from his post.
Ebang Engonga, who is in his 50s and has been nicknamed “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.
Equatorial Guinea’s Chief Prosecutor, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, announced that if medical tests show Ebang Engonga is “infected with a sexually transmitted disease,” he could face prosecution for an offence against “public health.”