Media Wire Express Correspondent
Equatorial Guinea has taken measures to block the use of WhatsApp within the country, aiming to limit the circulation of explicit media linked to a high-profile scandal.
This decision comes in the wake of videos and photos surfacing online that allegedly involve Baltasar Engonga, the director of the national financial oversight agency, and several women, some of whom are reportedly married to high-ranking officials.
The controversy erupted after hundreds of videos featuring Engonga, also known as “Bello,” were reportedly leaked on social media platforms, depicting him in intimate settings with over 400 women, including wives of various government leaders and relatives. The scandal, dubbed “the 400-tape affair” online, quickly went viral across social platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Telegram, prompting a surge of public debate and criticism.
In response, the government imposed restrictions on WhatsApp, a major communication tool within the country, aiming to curb the further spread of this media. However, the restrictions have sparked frustration among citizens who rely on the app for daily communication, with some arguing that the actions of a few individuals should not disrupt the entire population’s digital access.
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The scandal is under investigation by the country’s public health authorities, who are examining if Engonga’s actions pose a public health risk, specifically regarding the potential spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The Attorney General has clarified that while consensual relationships are not typically prosecutable under the country’s laws, penalties may apply if a health risk is established. Meanwhile, the scandal continues to generate both public outrage and widespread online speculation about potential political and legal repercussions
