Equatorial Guinea Scandal – First Lady Condemns Leaked Tapes, Calls For Stronger Privacy Laws

Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady, Constancia Mangue Obiang, has spoken out on the explosive scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, the former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), following the leak of over 400 tapes showing him in compromising situations with multiple women, some of whom are reportedly wives and relatives of high-profile figures.

In response, the Equatorial Guinean government swiftly dismissed Engonga from his position and has since committed to enforcing stricter privacy protections.

Speaking through her Press Office (Ofiprensa Primera Dama), First Lady Obiang condemned the incident and expressed her commitment to safeguarding citizens’ privacy and dignity, with a particular focus on women. “The government will not tolerate actions that undermine the dignity of our citizens, especially our women,” she declared. “We are dedicated to taking swift and effective action to ensure the privacy of all individuals is respected in this digital era, and that such incidents are not repeated.”

Mrs. Obiang further emphasized the need for legal measures to prevent digital exploitation and to protect women’s rights, adding, “While we have made progress in advancing gender equality in our country, this scandal underscores the need for stronger protections and preventive measures to ensure all citizens, especially women, are safe from digital exploitation.”

Prime Minister Osa Nsue, responsible for coordinating administrative affairs, voiced his support for the First Lady’s position, assuring that the government is prioritizing the safety and dignity of Equatorial Guinea’s citizens. The administration has promised to address the incident as a national priority, focusing on implementing stricter privacy laws to prevent similar violations in the future.