MALABO, Equatorial Guinea – In response to a monumental sex scandal, the Equatorial Guinea government has imposed a ban on citizens from downloading and sharing multimedia files on WhatsApp via mobile data.
This directive follows the leak of hundreds of explicit videos involving a high-ranking civil servant, which have circulated widely on social media, stirring public outcry and governmental action.
The restriction, implemented by order of Vice President Nguema Obiang, is intended to limit access to inappropriate content, especially after explicit videos surfaced showing the Director of the National Financial Investigation Agency, ANIF, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, in intimate encounters with multiple women, some of whom are reportedly the spouses of prominent officials.
Engonga, a well-connected figure and relative of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is now detained at Malabo’s Black Beach prison on embezzlement charges.
The scandal, which erupted last week, has led to several immediate government measures.
In a post on social media platform X, Obiang announced the suspension of any civil servant involved in sexual relations within ministry offices, calling such acts a “flagrant violation” of public ethics laws.
Jerome Leroy | AFP/Getty Images
Additionally, the government has ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in all government offices to ensure compliance with public service conduct laws.
Engonga’s involvement in the scandal reportedly came to light during a fraud investigation, where over 400 explicit videos were found during a search of his home and office.
Witnesses in Equatorial Guinea report that internet traffic, particularly on image-sharing services, has been severely restricted as authorities attempt to control the distribution of the videos.
The government has also issued directives to telecommunications companies to restrict internet access to inappropriate content, citing concerns over the impact on families and public integrity.
Vice President Obiang expressed the administration’s commitment to upholding the law, stating, “We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration.”
Equatorial Guinea’s chief prosecutor, Anatolio Nguema, further stated that if medical examinations confirm Engonga has a sexually transmitted disease, he could face additional charges related to public health offences.
This scandal and the government’s response underscore the administration’s efforts to restore public confidence amid rising concerns over misconduct within its ranks.
As social media platforms continue to circulate speculation of further leaks, authorities have vowed to enforce strict policies to address any ethical violations and maintain administrative integrity.
