A series of leaked videos showing a senior Equatorial Guinea official, Baltasar Ebang Mr. Engonga, engaging in intimate acts with various women has caused a scandal. The videos have spread widely on social media, sparking a wave of shock both in the country and beyond. Some of the women filmed are connected to the political elite.
It’s believed the leaks could be a tactic to discredit Mr. Engonga, who is reportedly vying for the presidency after Teodoro Obiang Nguema’s long reign. Obiang has been in power since 1979, but with the country’s oil wealth dwindling, the political landscape is becoming more contested.
Mr. Engonga was arrested in October on charges of embezzling state funds, shortly before the videos were leaked. The government has been scrambling to contain the scandal, even urging telecom companies to block the spread of the clips.
Activists suggest the video leak is part of a deeper political struggle. Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Mangue, seen as a key figure in the succession battle, may be using the scandal to weaken rivals and secure his own path to power.
While the video leak has captured international attention, it highlights the systemic corruption and manipulation within the country. Activists argue that the scandal is just a symptom of the wider issues plaguing Equatorial Guinea’s political system.