Equatorial Guinea’s government has formally announced the dismissal of Baltasar Ebang Engonga, who held the position of Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), following a scandal that has drawn significant international attention and sparked public debate across the nation.
The decision to remove Engonga from his position comes after the release of over 400 explicit videos that surfaced online, reportedly showing him engaged in intimate relationships with several high-profile women. These videos allegedly involve notable individuals, including wives of prominent officials within the government and the country’s elite circles.
Among the revelations, the tapes have reportedly implicated Engonga in romantic entanglements with his own brother’s wife, as well as the wife of the vice president and the wife of the inspector general of police, among other influential figures' spouses. The widespread circulation of these tapes has led to a national outcry and increased scrutiny of public figures in Equatorial Guinea.
In an official statement, the government confirmed Engonga’s dismissal through Decree No. 118/2024, dated November 4, formally citing “alleged misconduct in office” and behavior that the decree described as “incompatible with the responsibilities of public office.” The government expressed disappointment over the nature of the scandal and emphasized its commitment to preserving the integrity of the nation’s public institutions.
According to a report by Real Equatorial Guinea, the dismissal of Mr. Engonga, who is notably the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo—the current president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)—was further clarified in Decree No. 118/2024. The decree highlighted concerns over Engonga’s alleged inappropriate behavior both in his official capacity and in his personal relationships, which the government deemed inconsistent with the standards expected of a public servant.
Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady, Mrs. Constancia Mangue de Obiang, publicly responded to the scandal, expressing her dismay over the impact such behavior has on the public image of government officials. She emphasized the need for urgent governmental action to protect the reputation and dignity of Equatoguinean women in the digital age, addressing the social challenges brought about by technology and media ex
posure.
