The senior Equatoguinean official Baltasar Ebang EngongaBaltasar Ebang Engonga, author of sextapes that generated international buzz on social networks, has been dismissed by presidential decree and accused in a testimony broadcast on state television of having kept his videos without consent. From Nigerian superstar Davido to French rapper Kaaris, the viral dissemination of intimate images filmed by this notable relative of the head of state has sparked cascades of comments, memes and parodies on social networks, where the name of the artist has been used. “Baltasar” and the hashtag #BaltasarEbangEngonga top the list of most discussed topics, alongside the US presidential election.

On Wednesday, Equatoguinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo issued a decree ordering “the dismissal of Baltasar Ebang Engonga as director of the National Agency for Financial Investigation ANIF”.. On Tuesday, state TVGE broadcast the indignant protests of a woman with a blurred face, introducing herself as one of his partners. “I’d like to know where these videos circulating on social networks come from, I’d like to know why he (kept them) without my consent.”she said, saying “humiliated” in her “reputation” and its “honor”.

This woman explained that “gave her consent” for his lovemaking to be filmed, but believed that the images had “immediately deleted” after viewing. The sex tapes, shot on unknown dates in various locations – including his office at the Ministry of Finance – and with various partners, including the wives of local dignitaries, leaked onto social networks while he was on remand at Malabo’s Black Beach prison in a case of embezzlement of public funds.

“Ballon d’Or 2024”

Their viral spread prompted the authorities to restrict internet flow in the country to stop downloads. But the Baltasar effect spread like wildfire outside the country, with songs, dances, photomontages awarding him the “Golden Ball 2024 or a drug for sexual potency called “Balthazariem”.

The subject even came up in the Kenyan parliament on Tuesday: during the debates, the Speaker of the Assembly compared a committee leader with “that very kind man with whom women liked to have a good time”.a member of the French parliament for his “misconduct”. Nicknamed “Bello” because of his good looks, the senior civil servant, a married father in his fifties, is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, the current President of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) Commission.

Last week, the Attorney General of the Republic, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, had assured that if medical examinations revealed that he was “infected with a sexually transmitted disease”he would be prosecuted for an offence against “public health.