The ‘Flagrant Violations’

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Equatorial Guinea is grappling with a major scandal after more than 400 explicit videos leaked on social media appeared to show a senior finance ministry official engaging in sex acts with multiple women, including in his office, sparking outrage in the Central African coast nation, Africanews reported this week.

The scandal blew up shortly after police recently launched a raid on the home and office of Baltasar Engonga, director general of the National Financial Investigation Agency, in a separate fraud investigation.

During the search, authorities found videos allegedly featuring sexual encounters between Engonga and the wives of high-ranking government figures, including the director general of police, family members of ministers, and even the sister of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

While the recordings were reportedly consensual, they were leaked online which ignited public outrage, with local media describing the revelations as “unprecedented” and accusing Engonga of “flagrant violations” of public ethics.

Attorney General Nzang Nguema noted raised concerns over public health risks, particularly the potential spread of sexually transmitted diseases. He encouraged victims to come forward if they experienced any non-consensual or abusive encounters.

Meanwhile, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue condemned the acts, affirming that “ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration” and emphasizing a “zero tolerance” policy for any further breaches of public trust.

This week, he ordered a crackdown on improper conduct in government offices, implementing measures such as security cameras in all judiciary and ministry offices to prevent further incidents, Reuters added.

The government’s state information agency described the measures as an essential step to “protect the country’s image” in light of the viral videos.

Equatorial Guinea, a small nation of around 1.7 million people, has been under the leadership of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for 45 years.