Politics

Baltasar Engonga: The Untold Story Of Equatorial Guinea’s Sex Tape Leak

Published

4 weeks ago

November 12, 2024

Baltasar Engonga: The Untold Story Of Equatorial Guinea’s Sex Tape Leak

In recent weeks, Equatorial Guinea has been rocked by an explosive scandal involving leaked sex tapes of Baltasar Ebang Mr Engonga, a senior civil servant and nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

What began as a salacious scandal may, in fact, be the latest power play in the fight over the country’s presidential succession.

Dozens of explicit videos—estimated between 150 to more than 400— surfaced on social media, showing Mr Engonga, known as “Bello” for his good looks, engaging in sexual acts with multiple women in his office and other locations. Some of the women were reported to be the wives and relatives of high-ranking officials, adding fuel to the political firestorm.

While the identity of those who leaked the tapes remained unclear, some speculated that the scandal was part of a coordinated effort to discredit Mr Engonga. He was one of several figures thought to be vying to replace President Nguema, the world’s longest-serving president, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979.

As news of the tapes spread, observers began questioning the timing and purpose of the leaks. Just days before the videos surfaced, Mr Engonga was arrested on charges of embezzling state funds and was held in the notorious Black Beach prison. His phones and computers were confiscated, leading to suspicions that security forces may have been involved in leaking the recordings.

Equatoguinean activist Nsang Christia Esimi Cruz, speaking from London on the ‘BBC Focus on Africa’ podcast, suggested that the scandal was part of a larger power struggle. “What we are seeing is the end of an era, the end of the current president, and there is a succession and this is the internal fighting we are seeing,” said Mr Cruz.

He believed Vice President Teodoro Obiang Mangue—who also happened to be the president’s son—was using the scandal to eliminate political opponents, including Engonga.

The vice president made headlines before for his extravagant lifestyle, which included once owning a $275,000 crystal-encrusted glove worn by Michael Jackson. However, Mr Cruz alleged that the vice-president, along with his mother, was now clearing the path for his ascension to power by sidelining potential challengers.

While the leaked videos captivated the public beyond Equatorial Guinea, some activists argued that the real issue was much larger. Equatorial Guinea was plagued by economic decline as its once-booming oil reserves dwindled. Despite vast wealth among a small elite, many of the country’s 1.7 million residents continued to live in poverty. The Nguema administration faced numerous accusations of human rights abuses, including arbitrary killings and torture, according to a United States government report.

Activist Cruz expressed frustration that international attention focused on the sex scandal rather than the broader problems facing the country. “Equatorial Guinea has much bigger problems than this sex scandal,” he said, explaining that the leak is “just a symptom of the illness, it’s not the illness itself.”

Indeed, palace intrigue has long been a defining feature of Equatorial Guinea’s political landscape. Although the country held regular elections, there was no meaningful opposition. Political rivals and activists were often jailed or exiled, and allegations of coup plotting were common. The scandal appeared to be the latest chapter in this ongoing struggle for power.

In response to the scandal, Vice-President Obiang Mangue took swift action. On October 30, he ordered telecom companies to curb the spread of the videos. “We cannot continue to watch families fall apart without taking any action,” he wrote on social media. Despite the efforts, the clips continued to circulate.

Engonga faced additional legal troubles. The police encouraged the women involved in the videos to file complaints, and at least one has announced her intention to sue him for non-consensual distribution of the tapes. It remained unclear why Engonga recorded his sexcapades, though some suggested it was for personal leverage.

LEADERSHIP reports that on November 6, the vice-president called for the installation of CCTV cameras in government offices “to combat indecent and illicit acts” and ordered that officials caught engaging in sex at work be suspended. He also lamented that the scandal had “denigrated the image of the country.”

The incident cast a shadow over President Nguema’s legacy as his 44-year rule neared its end. His administration’s crackdown on social media, including temporary internet suspensions during protests earlier this year, raised concerns among activists. Mr Cruz suspected he government may use this scandal as a pretext to impose further restrictions on social media, the main platform for information dissemination in the country.

While the sex tapes brought international attention to Equatorial Guinea, particularly in neighbouring Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, the larger issue remained the uncertain future of the presidency. With various factions jostling for power, the country’s political elite appeared to be on the brink of a major reshuffle—one where sex, scandal, and secrecy continued to play pivotal roles.

Related Topics:equitoria guinea Featured

Up Next

Ogun: Ijebu North Residents Urged to Vote for APC in Upcoming Local Government Elections

Don't Miss

Women who dislike Trump go on sex strike

Sahara Weekly

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

Politics

Zamfara Youths Commend Tinubu Over Yazid Danfulani Appointment*

Published

2 hours ago

December 7, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Zamfara Youths Commend Tinubu Over Yazid Danfulani Appointment

Youths in Zamfara State have commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Yazid Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative.

The Zamfara Good Governance Forum (ZGF), led by Comrade Abdulsamad Yakubu, described Danfulani’s appointment as a well-deserved recognition of his contributions to the region’s development.

Yakubu said Danfulani played a pivotal role in President Tinubu’s campaign, mobilising massive youth support and ensuring a resounding victory for the All Progressives Congress.

He noted that his expertise in the solid minerals sector, particularly in gold mining, is expected to drive the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative forward.

The Zamfara Good Governance Forum expressed confidence that Danfulani’s appointment will have a positive impact on the solid minerals sector in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, which is richly endowed with mineral resources, including gold.

“We wish to express our heartfelt commendation to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the appointment of Yazid Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative,” Yakubu said.

“Yazid Danfulani’s appointment is a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to the development of Northern Nigeria. As a great mobilizer, he played a pivotal role in President Tinubu’s campaign, galvanising massive youth support and ensuring a resounding victory for the party’s presidential candidate.

“The Zamfara Good Governance Forum believes that this appointment is a well-deserved recognition of Danfulani’s contributions to the region’s development. His expertise in the solid minerals sector, particularly in gold mining, will undoubtedly be an asset in driving the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative forward.

“As the Executive Secretary, Danfulani will oversee the implementation of the initiative, which aims to formalize and regulate the artisanal gold mining sector in Nigeria. This initiative has the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce illegal mining activities in the region.

“The Zamfara Good Governance Forum is confident that Danfulani’s appointment will have a positive impact on the solid minerals sector in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, which is richly endowed with mineral resources, including gold ².”

Politics

Namibians elect Nandi-Ndaitwah as first female president

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Namibians elect Nandi-Ndaitwah as first female president

Namibian Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) party has been elected the first female president of the Southern African country.

Namibia’s electoral commission on Tuesday announced Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah as the winner of the election that was held on November 27.

The announcement of the result was delayed until Tuesday as voting was extended in some places due to technical glitches and ballot paper shortages.

According to the result by the electoral commission, Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, polled 57 per cent of the votes, surpassing the 50 per cent requirement to win. Her challenger, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party, came second with roughly 26 per cent of votes.

In the National Assembly election, Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah-led SWAPO won a majority of seats, 51 of the 96, while the IPC won 20 seats.

“The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability,” Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah said after being declared president-elect on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the IPC has vowed to challenge the election’s outcome in court, describing the process as “deeply flawed.”

Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory now extends SWAPO’s 34-year rule in Namibia since it led the country to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

Politics

Senate summons Keyamo over flight delays, others

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Senate summons Keyamo over flight delays, others

The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo; Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo; airline operators and other relevant stakeholders over the incessant flight delays and cancellations by airlines.

Adopting a motion to that effect, sponsored by Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC Oyo North) during plenary, the Red Chamber particularly charged its Committee on Aviation to unravel the circumstances behind the incessant flight delays and cancellations to find lasting solutions to the problem.

The PUNCH exclusively reported on Wednesday that about 2,000 air passengers lost 19,274 pieces of luggage between January and June this year, according to data from the Federal.

The report stated that data obtained from the half-year report of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, an agency of the Federal Government that regulates civil aviation, further indicated that 19,250 passengers were delayed for long hours during the review period.

Senator Buhari, while presenting the motion, said the problem which he noted had been on the increase in recent times, is all over the media.

“This development is worrisome as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable, and quicker means of transportation, often undertaken for business/official purposes and to keep other scheduled appointments, which are usually time-bo,” he said

Therefore, he cautioned that “unwarranted flight delays and cancellations will be counterproductive to the socio-economic growth and development of this country.”

The lawmaker noted that as part of interventionist measures to check unethical and unwholesome practices of the practitioners in the àviation sector, the NCAA is statutory empowered through the enactment of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, to among other things, provide oversight and guidelines aimed at ensuring that airlines operate within the contemplation of international standards in Nigeria and to ensure that airline customers get value for the services paid for.

Buhari pointed out that “the quest for economic diversification and foreign direct investment, which are parts of the current administration’s policy thrust, will remain an illusion if the country’s aviation industry falls short of the acceptable best practices across the globe.”

“Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Regulations of 2023, makes provisions for consumer protection in the civil aviation industry in Nigeria.”

He added, “However, enforcement has been an issue as most Nigerians are not even aware that they are entitled to compensation for time lost due to unnecessary delay, hence the need for the NCAA to activate this aspect of its regulation so that airline operators will sit up and be alive to their responsibilities.”