A shocking leak of intimate videos involving Equatorial Guinea’s senior government official, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has flooded social media in recent weeks. While many see it as a scandal of epic proportions, the BBC believe it may be part of a larger scheme to discredit the powerful Engonga and clear the way for another successor to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the world’s longest-serving president.
Engonga, also known as “Bello” due to his good looks, is the nephew of President Obiang, who has led the oil-rich, small Central African nation since 1979. The release of over 150, possibly even 400, explicit videos featuring Engonga engaging in sexual acts with various women has gripped the public’s attention both domestically and internationally. The leak has also raised questions about Equatorial Guinea’s restricted media environment and opaque political dynamics.
A Nation in Shock Over the Leak
The video leaks, first appearing on social media in late October, shocked Equatorial Guinea and quickly spread across neighboring countries and beyond. Many of the women in the videos are believed to be connected to the nation’s political elite, further complicating the scandal. Some women were aware they were being filmed, though the motives behind these recordings remain unclear.
The scandal has added intrigue to the tight, secretive political landscape in Equatorial Guinea, a country with a population of only 1.7 million, where economic inequality remains stark. While a small elite enjoy wealth from the country’s oil reserves, the majority of citizens live in poverty, often with limited access to information or opportunity to speak freely.
Engonga was arrested on October 25 under charges of corruption, with authorities accusing him of embezzling significant sums from state funds and hiding them in offshore accounts. Shortly after his arrest, his phones and computers were seized by security forces. Only days later, the videos surfaced online, hinting at a possible motive behind the scandal.
The video’s spread on social media gained the attention of Teodoro Obiang Mangue, Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president and President Obiang’s son, who ordered telecom companies to stop the distribution of the clips. This move, however, was largely unsuccessful, as the videos continued circulating across platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Power Plays in Equatorial Guinea’s Palace
While details surrounding the scandal remain murky, some analysts and activists argue that the leaks are part of a power struggle over who will succeed President Obiang. Engonga, who has served in roles that placed him at the forefront of anti-corruption efforts, including as the head of the National Financial Investigation Agency, is one of the potential candidates to take over from the 82-year-old leader. His proximity to the president and his family ties make him a notable figure in the complex succession plans.
Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Mangue, who has long been speculated to succeed his father, has also faced corruption accusations. Known for his lavish lifestyle, Mangue once owned a $275,000 crystal-encrusted glove famously worn by Michael Jackson. His ambitions for power are evident, and some believe he may be working to eliminate rivals who could challenge his path to the presidency.
According to Nsang Christia Esimi Cruz, an Equatoguinean activist living in London, the scandal represents a deeper struggle within Equatorial Guinea’s ruling elite. Cruz told the BBC that Mangue and his mother are attempting to secure his succession by undermining others in line for power, including Engonga and Gabriel Obiang Lima, another son of President Obiang from a different mother, who has served as oil minister.
A Culture of Control and Corruption
The leaked videos and the power struggles they reveal underscore the challenges of Equatorial Guinea’s deeply restrictive environment. The government has long faced accusations of severe human rights abuses, including alleged torture and repression of political opponents. Even as regular elections are held, there is no significant opposition, with most dissenters imprisoned, forced into exile, or closely monitored.
For Cruz and other activists, the video scandal is just the latest symptom of a system plagued by corruption and authoritarianism. “This scandal is merely a reflection of a corrupt society and leadership,” said Cruz, who works with a rights organization called GE Nuestra. “Equatorial Guinea has much larger problems than this sex scandal.”
President Obiang’s government has previously used scandalous revelations to discredit political opponents, and the current scandal could serve a similar purpose. Some speculate that Mangue’s attempts to position himself as a crusader against corruption, calling for the installation of CCTV cameras in government offices and stricter policies against “indecent acts,” are attempts to bolster his image as a reformer while weakening his opponents.
Social media has emerged as a crucial channel for Equatoguineans to share information, and it is likely that the government sees this scandal as an opportunity to restrict these platforms. In July, authorities temporarily suspended the internet following protests on the island of Annobón, signaling the government’s concern over public dissent and the rapid dissemination of information.
While Mangue’s call for telecom companies to limit the videos’ spread highlights the government’s fear of social media’s power, it also underscores the limited freedom and strict control imposed on citizens. The case’s handling is emblematic of how the country’s elite uses scandal and secrecy to consolidate power, while deflecting attention from larger structural issues plaguing the nation.
A Global Audience Drawn to Equatorial Guinea’s Internal Affairs
International interest in the scandal has surged, with Google searches for Equatorial Guinea spiking since the beginning of the week. Many of these searches come from African countries, where awareness of the dynamics within Equatorial Guinea is growing. On Monday, “Equatorial Guinea” was a trending term on X (formerly Twitter) in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, reflecting regional curiosity over the scandal’s unfolding.
Equatorial Guinea’s story has piqued the interest of the outside world, but as Cruz notes, the sex scandal is only a small part of the country’s broader issues. For a nation grappling with human rights abuses, economic disparity, and a dynastic power struggle, the leaked videos serve as a stark reminder of the political intrigue and moral decay at the core of its governance.
As the saga unfolds, one thing is clear: Equatorial Guinea’s power struggle continues to be as opaque and gripping as ever, with no signs of change on the horizon. For the citizens, it remains uncertain whether the scandal will bring about meaningful reform or simply reinforce the status quo in the halls of power.
