Equatorial Guinea’s director-general of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Engonga, has been dismissed by President Teodoro Mbasogo following his alleged involvement in a sensational sex scandal that has rocked the nation.
Engonga was sacked for “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct,” according to a decree issued on November 4, 2024.
Engonga, who is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjoo, the president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), faces allegations of misconduct after authorities investigating him for suspected fraud uncovered around 400 explicit videos in his home and office. These tapes purportedly show Engonga engaging in intimate encounters with various women, including his brother’s wife, his cousin, the president’s sister, the police director general’s wife, and approximately 20 wives of government ministers.
The now-viral videos reportedly depict encounters taking place in Engonga’s office, hotels, and even bathrooms, with all interactions allegedly recorded with the participants’ consent. The scandal has led the government to suspend other officials found to have had sexual relations within ministry offices and prompted a decision to install surveillance cameras across all government facilities to prevent future misconduct.
At a recent meeting, First Lady Constancia Mangue joined Prime Minister Manuel Nsue, who pledged that the government would “learn from these errors” and enforce stricter measures to prevent similar incidents. Mangue condemned the scandal, noting it is damaging to the image and reputation of women in Equatorial Guinea, while Nsue emphasized the need for mechanisms to maintain professional conduct and uphold public trust.
