Equatorial Guinea has taken a dramatic step to address a widening sex scandal involving high-ranking officials.
On Monday, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema declared the suspension of all officials found to have engaged in sexual acts within government offices.
Nguema made the statement on social media, condemning the “irresponsible behavior” and warning of “severe measures” against those involved.
“Today, we will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries,” Nguema stated.
He emphasized that these actions are a “flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.”
The vice-president described the suspensions as a “decisive step” towards enforcing a policy of “zero tolerance” in government.
“Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration,” Nguema declared.
He added that his government would not permit “irresponsible behavior to compromise public trust.”
“Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the State,” he continued.
In a further step, Nguema announced on Tuesday that surveillance cameras would be installed in all government offices.
“We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behavior,” he said.
Nguema warned that officials caught violating the standards would face “drastic measures.”
“We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration,” he added.
This announcement comes after shocking revelations about explicit videos allegedly involving government officials.
The scandal initially broke when investigators searched the home and office of Baltasar Ebang Engonga, head of Equatorial Guinea’s Anti-Graft National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF).
Engonga had been under investigation for alleged fraud, but what investigators found shocked the nation.
According to reports, authorities discovered around 400 explicit videos featuring Engonga and numerous women.
In a revelation that has stunned Equatorial Guinea, Engonga is reportedly seen in videos engaging in sexual acts with several high-profile women.
The videos allegedly show him with his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the president of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the police chief, and around 20 wives of ministers, among others.
The scandal is said to involve footage taken in Engonga’s office, in hotels, and even in toilets.
Nguema has labeled the scandal as a disgrace to the nation and a threat to the credibility of the government.
“We cannot have such behaviors staining our institutions,” he declared.
The public backlash has been strong, with citizens expressing outrage on social media.
Nguema’s move to install surveillance cameras is seen as part of an effort to restore public confidence.
“People expect integrity from those in office,” a social media user commented, calling the scandal “a betrayal of public trust.”
Nguema has emphasized that these suspensions and surveillance measures are only the beginning of efforts to improve transparency.
The scandal has become a major talking point in the Central African nation, with citizens demanding a full investigation and accountability.
