Equatorial Guinea’s government has dismissed Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), following a scandal involving over 400 explicit recordings circulating online. The tapes reportedly show Engonga engaged in illicit affairs with several prominent women, including the wives of high-ranking officials in the country, such as his brother’s wife, the Vice President’s wife, and the spouse of the Inspector General of Police.
In an official statement, the government confirmed that Engonga’s dismissal was formalized through Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4. The decree highlighted that Engonga’s actions were deemed to be incompatible with his public office, citing both his personal misconduct and his behavior within his family and social life.
Baltasar Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, who currently serves as the President of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). Despite his prominent family connections, Engonga’s actions have drawn widespread condemnation and have sparked significant public backlash.
In the wake of the scandal, the First Lady of Equatorial Guinea, Mrs. Obiang, took to social media to call for urgent governmental action to safeguard the dignity of women in the country, particularly in the digital era. “It is crucial to foster a secure and respectful environment for all women,” she emphasized in a Facebook post on Wednesday. She also pointed to the need for stronger preventative measures to avoid similar incidents in the future, even as the nation has made strides toward greater gender equality.
Prime Minister Osa Nsue also addressed the issue, acknowledging the severe damage the scandal has caused to the country’s public image and its efforts toward gender equality. He stressed the importance of immediate action to uphold the dignity of women and restore confidence in public institutions.
The incident has raised urgent questions about the intersection of personal conduct and public responsibility, particularly for those holding influential positions in the government.
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